Rangers rout Thrashers

Jaromir Jagr and Michael Nylander made Kari Lehtonen long for hisspot on the bench. And the New York Rangers' top line needed lessthan a period to do it.

Lehtonen, the Game 1 loser, got the start over Johan Hedberg, theGame 2 loser, then endured a thorough beating as the Rangers scoredthree times in the first period and coasted to a 7-0 victory Tuesdayagainst the visiting Atlanta Thrashers that gave them a commanding 3-0 lead in the first-round playoff series. The Rangers will go forthe sweep tonight at Madison Square Garden.

Nylander notched his first playoff hat trick, and HenrikLundqvist stopped 21 shots in his first playoff shutout for theRangers.

Lehtonen was touched for all seven goals on 35 shots. That wasenough for the Rangers' victory theme "Sweet Caroline" to play with5:16 left.

Jagr assisted on all three of Nylander's goals, and they combinedto set up Marek Malik for another. But Nylander had the quickeststrike of all when he rifled a shot under Lehtonen's shoulder 32seconds after the opening faceoff.

Rookie Ryan Callahan scored twice in the second period, andBrendan Shanahan and Nylander added goals in the third.

FLAMES 3, RED WINGS 2

Jarome Iginla scored the tiebreaking goal at 9:21 of the thirdperiod to boost host Calgary past Detroit. The Red Wings lead thefirst-round series 2-1, with Game 4 scheduled for Thursday inCalgary, Alberta.

Matthew Lombardi and Mark Giordano scored power-play goals forthe Flames, who had the best home record in the league during theregular season. Kris Draper scored both goals for the Red Wings, wholed 2-1 early in the third period before the Flames rallied.

SENATORS 2, PENGUINS 1

Anton Volchenkov, who scored only once in 78 games during theregular season, tallied on a slap shot from the slot midway throughthe third period, and visiting Ottawa moved a victory away fromwinning the first-round series by edging Pittsburgh. The Senatorslead the series 3-1, with Game 5 set for Thursday in Ottawa.

CANUCKS 2, STARS 1

Trevor Linden shoveled a rebound past Marty Turco with 5:31 leftin the third period, and Willie Mitchell preserved the lead bysweeping a puck off the goal line with 2oe minutes left as Vancouveredged host Dallas. The Canucks lead the first-round series 3-1 andcan advance to the next round with a victory Thursday in Vancouver,British Columbia.

WILD 4, DUCKS 1

Marian Gaborik scored with the man advantage to spark a three-goal third period, and Minnesota avoided a sweep in the first-roundseries by defeating visiting Anaheim. The Ducks lead the series 3-1, with Game 5 scheduled for Thursday in Anaheim, Calif.