Bure Scores Four Goals in Panthers’ 7-5 Victory

Thanks to Pavel Bure, Mike Vernon got the victory. That’s all that really mattered to the Florida Panthers.

Bure equaled a career high with four goals, while Vernon weathered a shaky debut as the Panthers’ goalie by finishing strong Saturday to hold off the struggling Tampa Bay Lightning, 7-5, at Sunrise, Fla.

Bure, scoring at least three goals in a game for the third time this season and 14th time in his career, gave the Panthers the lead for good on a breakaway only 18 seconds after Chris Gratton beat Vernon to make the score 5-5 midway through the third period.

Vernon, acquired in a trade from the San Jose Sharks on Thursday, became the fifth goalie to start for the Southeast Division-leading Panthers this season, filling in for the injured Trevor Kidd. He settled down after giving up three second-period goals, stopping five of six shots in the final period while Bure was scoring three goals.

“I said to Pavel: ‘Thanks for bailing me out,’ ” Vernon said.

Carolina 4, Atlanta 2--Ron Francis, Sami Kapanen and Paul Ranheim each had a goal and an assist for the Hurricanes at Atlanta.

Boston 2, New Jersey 2--Jason Allison scored his second goal at 6:50 of the third period, lifting the Bruins to a tie at Boston.

Buffalo 8, Toronto 1--Eric Rasmussen, Maxim Afinogenov and Stu Barnes each scored two goals for the Sabres at Buffalo, N.Y.

Washington 1, St. Louis 1--Ulf Dahlen’s second-period goal pulled the Capitals even at Washington.

Nashville 3, San Jose 2--Tomas Vokoun made 43 saves at Nashville for his fourth victory in six days.

Edmonton 5, Phoenix 4--Doug Weight scored the winner with 1:04 to play at Phoenix.

Around the League

Forward Cory Stillman of the Calgary Flames needs surgery on his left shoulder and will be sidelined indefinitely. . . . Goaltender Damian Rhodes of the Atlanta Thrashers, sidelined since Nov. 18 because of a severe ankle sprain, needs arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and could be sidelined for a month or more. . . . The Tampa Bay Lightning suspended right wing Stephane Richer for not reporting to a minor league assignment.