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Mario Lemieux turns back the clock

Mario Lemieux, rear, of the Penguins, celebrates his first goal of the season with teammate Ziggy Palffy, who got an assist, during the first period of preseason NHL action against the Blue Jackets in Pittsburgh, Tuesday. Pittsburgh won 7-2. PHOTO: AP

Mario Lemieux, who turns 40 next week, played as though he was 18 again with a goal and three assists in a 7-2 NHL preseason victory over the flu-weakened Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.

The Ryan Malone-Lemieux-Ziggy Palffy line, or some form of it, was on the ice for all but one Penguins goal against goalie Martin Prusek, who was pulled after Lasse Pirjeta's goal at 12:23 of the second made it 6-1. Prusek allowed goals on six of the 19 shots he faced, two by Malone.

Lemieux's most artistic point came as he skated out of the penalty box early in the second period after being off for a high-sticking penalty. He took a breakout pass to start a three-man rush, kept control of the puck while almost jumping over defenseman Duvie Westcott along the boards and fed into the crease for Maxime Talbot's goal.

Sidney Crosby, the No. 1 draft pick who is the NHL's most awaited rookie since the Wayne Gretzky and Lemieux days, had a rather pedestrian home debut, though he set up Mark Recchi's goal in the closing minutes.

Flyers 5, Islanders 3

At Philadelphia, Patrick Sharp scored two goals to lead Philadelphia, which improved to 4-0 in the preseason and seems poised to open the season as serious Stanley Cup contenders after revamping its roster following the lockout.

Philadelphia played without two of its biggest offseason acquisitions, former NHL MVP Peter Forsberg (right ankle injury) and Derian Hatcher (sprained left knee). Both players practiced on Monday with the Flyers for the first time and could rejoin the lineup within the week.

Mike Richards, Donald Brashear and Kim Johnsson also scored for Philadelphia. Johnsson also had two assists.

Alexei Yashin, with two goals, and Jason Blake scored for New York.

Devils 3, Rangers 1

At East Rutherford, New Jersey, Zach Parise and Vladimir Malakhov scored power-play goals for New Jersey.

Martin Brodeur played the first 30:59 for the Devils, stopping all 15 shots he faced. Ari Ahonen made 13 saves in relief of Brodeur, allowing only Jed Ortmeyer's third-period goal.

Alexander Mogilny claimed New Jersey's other goal.

Sabres 5, Maple Leafs 2

At Toronto, Chris Drury scored the first of Buffalo's four power-play goals in its victory over Toronto.

Daniel Briere, Jason Pominville, Paul Gaustad and Taylor Pyatt also scored for the Sabres. Chad Kilger and Mariusz Czerkawski scored for the Maple Leafs.

Toronto's Eric Lindros missed his second straight game because of a strained ribcage.

Canadiens 4, Bruins 3, OT

At Montreal, Guillaume Latendresse deflected a shot past Andrew Raycroft on a two-man power play at 2:12 of overtime to give the Montreal Canadiens a 4-3 preseason victory over the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night.

Pierre Dagenais, Ron Hainsey and Richard Zednik also scored for the Canadiens (4-1-0), who will face the Bruins (2-3-1) again on Wednesday night in Moncton, New Brunswick.

Brad Boyes and Glen Murray and Brad Isbister scored for Boston. Brian Leetch earned his first point in three exhibition games with the Bruins, assisting on Boyes' goal.

Oilers 4, Flames 0

At Edmonton, Alberta, third-string goalie Mike Morrison made 21 saves, and Chris Pronger and Ales Hemsky each had a goal and an assist in Edmonton's victory over Calgary.

Pronger, the star defenseman acquired from St. Louis last month, opened the scoring with a power-play goal midway through the first period and assisted on Marc-Andre Bergeron's power-play goal in the third.

Ethan Moreau also scored for the Oilers, who will face the Flames again Wednesday night in Calgary. The Flames played without captain Jarome Iginla.

Avalanche 2, Red Wings 1

At Denver, Andrew Brunette and Alex Tanguay scored goals in a 1:36 span midway through the second period to help Colorado beat Detroit.

David Aebischer stopped 26 shots for the Avalanche.
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