- Rangers 3, Thrashers 2: Nikolai Zherdev scored one goal and assisted on another in the third period to help the streaking Rangers down the Thrashers, but color coach Tom Renney unimpressed. "We can't mistake what we're doing here for being great," he said. The Rangers are now 10-2-1, which only qualifies as their best start through 13 games in franchise history. Of course, up until a few seasons ago, losing in overtime didn't earn teams points. Henrik Lundqvist made 27 saves against an Atlanta team that is 2-6-2 and has lost five straight games, four of them in regulation.
- Flyers 3, Islanders 2: At least they got a point. The Islanders have now lost five straight and six of seven. Bill Guerin's goal -- a one-timer from inside the blue line -- was legit. But Andy Hilbert's was an early Christmas present. It deflected off the arm of Flyers defenseman Ossi Vaananen.
