Rangers top rival Islanders

Drury scores twice to back Lundqvist

Last season, the New York Rangers took only three of eight games from their also-ran rivals, the New York Islanders. With only six games on this season's schedule, the Rangers are already off to a good start.

Team captain Chris Drury scored his first two goals, and Henrik Lundqvist made 28 saves in a 4-2 victory over the Islanders on Monday night.

The Rangers (9-2-1) tied the franchise record for best start through 12 games and have the most points in the NHL. The Islanders (2-6) own the fewest.

"It's still early in the season, so who knows where everybody ends up," said Tom Renney, who passed Roger Neilson for fourth place on the Rangers' coaching victory list with No. 142. "These are important games because we do have a good point total and we want to add to that. If that is at the expense of somebody in our division, great.

"It doesn't matter what people quantify their game as, they're an NHL team that can beat anybody on any given night."

Drury, who has bounced around between various linemates in Renney's quest to find a trio that clicks, scored off a deflection 56 seconds in against backup goalie Joey MacDonald.

He added a power-play tally during a long two-man advantage with 7:26 remaining to make it 4-1. Ryan Callahan and Scott Gomez both netted their third goals for the Rangers, who have won three straight.

ALSO MONDAY

SENATORS 5, SABRES 2: Jason Spezza had two goals and an assist, and Alex Auld made 25 saves in visiting Ottawa's victory over Buffalo that snapped the Senators' four-game losing streak.

The Sabres (6-1-2) came in as the only Eastern Conference team without a regulation loss.

Dany Heatley had a goal and an assist, and Christoph Schubert and Shean Donovan also scored for the Senators (3-5-1).

DUCKS 3, BLUE JACKETS 2: Teemu Selanne scored a power-play goal with 3:55 left, helping Anaheim beat host Columbus.

The game was played before 10,494, the smallest NHL crowd ever at Nationwide Arena.

Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf each had a goal and an assist for the Ducks, who for only the second time in franchise history swept a road trip of four games or longer. After an 0-4-0 start, the Ducks have won five of their past six.

WILD 3, BLACKHAWKS 2: Mikko Koivu assisted on goals by Andrew Brunette, Antti Miettinen and Brent Burns to lead host Minnesota over Chicago.

The Wild (6-0-1) is the only NHL team without a regulation loss despite playing the last five games without star Marian Gaborik.

Chicago (3-3-3) had its seven-game point streak snapped.

NOTES

OVECHKIN STREAK TO END: Alex Ovechkin will miss at least one game while in Russia to spend time with his ailing grandfather.

The NHL's reigning MVP caught a flight home Monday morning and definitely will sit out the Washington Capitals' game against the visiting Nashville Predators tonight after appearing in 203 straight games.

The Capitals were not sure when Ovechkin would return to the team.

Washington's following game is Saturday at the Buffalo Sabres.

BRIEFLY: The Blue Jackets placed goaltender Pascal Leclaire on injured reserve Monday with a sprained ankle and activated right wing Jared Boll.