Lemieux Gets Closer to Francis’ Territory

Mario Lemieux got an assist to pull within three points of becoming the sixth 1,700-point scorer in NHL history, but Ron Francis scored for his 1,759th career point to help Carolina tie host Pittsburgh, 1-1, Wednesday night.

Detroit 4, Columbus 1 -- Brett Hull moved into a fourth-place tie on the NHL career goals list with his 717th to help lift the host Red Wings.

Florida 2, New Jersey 1 -- Jay Bouwmeester and Olli Jokinen scored 42 seconds apart late in the third period at East Rutherford, N.J.

Toronto 3, Dallas 1 -- Joe Nieuwendyk’s tiebreaking, power-play goal with 6:58 remaining lifted the Maple Leafs at Dallas.

Vancouver 3, St. Louis 2 -- Rookie Jason King scored the winning goal on a two-man power play with 12.7 seconds left at Vancouver, Canada.

*

Colorado forward Paul Kariya will be out indefinitely because of a sprained right wrist suffered in the Avalanche’s 4-1 loss to Boston on Tuesday.

The Avalanche acquired forward Steve Konowalchuk and a third-round pick in next year’s draft from Washington in exchange for forward Bates Battaglia and the rights to forward prospect Jonas Johansson.