Hockey today

Monday, Jan. 8

Pittsburgh at Washington (6 p.m. CST). Mario Lemieux plays his first road game for the Penguins since his return to the NHL.

STARS

Sunday

-- Rod Brind'Amour, Hurricanes, tied a career high with three goals to lead Carolina over the Islanders 5-2.

-- Michael Nylander and Tony Amonte, Blackhawks, each scored twice as Chicago rallied to beat Tampa Bay 7-4.

-- Steve Yzerman, Red Wings, scored his second goal of the game 1:08 into overtime to give Detroit a 4-3 victory over Colorado.

SUPER DAY

Rod Brind'Amour tied a career high with three goals as Carolina beat the Islanders 5-2 Sunday. It was the first hat trick by a Hurricanes player since Bates Battaglia did it on March 8th against Chicago. It was Brind'Amour's first three-goal game since Dec. 29, 1992, with Philadelphia.

STRUGGLING

With a 5-2 loss to Carolina on Sunday, the Islanders, have lost five in a row and eight of nine. New York has won just five of its last 28 games. The 28 points are the fewest in the NHL.

SUSPENDED

Dallas goalie Ed Belfour was suspended indefinitely by general manager Bob Gainey on Sunday for leaving the team in Boston on Saturday and flying back to Dallas after arguing with coach Ken Hitchcock over participation in an optional pregame practice. Belfour -- a free agent after this season -- has yet to comment publicly on the situation.

SERVING 'EM UP

Edmonton's Doug Weight had an assist in the Oilers 4-2 win over Columbus on Sunday night, putting him atop the NHL with 38 assists and extending his point streak to five games.

SPOILED

The Blackhawks spoiled John Tortorella's debut as head coach of the Lightning, beating Tampa Bay 7-4 Sunday night. Tortorella, formerly a Lightning associate coach, replaced Steve Ludzik, who was fired Saturday. Tortorella is the fifth head coach in the Lightning's nine-year history.

SENT DOWN

The Blackhawks assigned defensemen Steve Poapst and Nolan Baumgartner to the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL Sunday.

SENT FOR

The Avalanche recalled forward Ville Nieminen from the Hershey Bears of the AHL on Sunday. ... The Mighty Ducks recalled goalie Jean-Sebastian Giguere from Cincinnati of the AHL.

SPEAKING

"I've spoken to Ed, and at this time he feels he is not ready to join the team. We have placed him on suspension as we work toward a resolution." -- Dallas general manager Bob Gainey suspended goalie Ed Belfour indefinitely Sunday for leaving the team in Boston on Saturday after arguing with coach Ken Hitchcock over participation in an optional pregame practice.