Dahlen Makes Big Impression

Ulf Dahlen didn’t wait long to help his new teammates.

Playing in his first game since Chicago acquired him from San Jose over the weekend for goalie Ed Belfour, Dahlen scored the winning goal at 3:32 of the third period to lead the Blackhawks to a 2-1 victory over the Rangers on Monday night in New York.

“If I missed that shot, it would have been embarrassing,” Dahlen said of his game-winner. “Tony made the play. I just put it into an empty net.”

Dahlen referred to Tony Amonte, who had scored his 31st goal 38 seconds into the period to tie the score. Then he set up Dahlen less than three minutes later.

Chicago ended a five-game losing streak.

Vancouver 5, San Jose 2--Kirk McLean stopped 32 shots and assisted on Russ Courtnall’s go-ahead goal early in the second period for the Canucks, who spoiled Belfour’s debut in goal for the Sharks at Vancouver.

Belfour gave up three goals in the Canucks’ first 13 shots and finished with 25 saves. He is 1-8-4 in his last 13 decisions.

Colorado 5, Toronto 2--A surprised Adam Deadmarsh found an errant pass from the Maple Leafs’ Jamie Baker on his stick midway through the third period and knew what to do with the puck, scoring the tie-breaking goal of the Avalanche’s victory in Toronto.

The Avalanche made the score 4-2 when Jon Klemm finished a rush by beating Denis Potvin with a low wrist shot at 3:44.

Claude Lemieux finished the scoring with another wrist shot in the final minute.

Ottawa 5, Tampa Bay 3--Alexei Yashin scored two goals for the Senators, who won at home and are on a 3-1-2 run.

Daniel Alfredsson had a goal and two assists for Ottawa. Tom Chorske and Randy Cunneyworth also scored for the Senators.