Hasek Becomes Rich, Then He Shows Why

Buffalo’s Dominik Hasek became the richest goaltender in NHL history on Thursday, and then he celebrated by stopping 31 Florida Panther shots in the Sabres’ 6-1 victory at Buffalo.

Hasek signed a four-year contract worth about $35 million.

“I’m glad we reached an agreement on a new contract,” Hasek said. “I believe I will be playing for the Buffalo Sabres for the next couple years. I’m very happy about it.”

Hasek, 33, should be happy. He’s getting $7.5 million next season and $18.5 million over the following two years. If the Sabres pick up the option on the final year, he will be paid $9 million.

Buffalo played solid defense in front of Hasek and capitalized on its opportunities in the other end against the Panthers, who have lost 11 games in a row.

Alexei Zhitnik scored two short-handed goals and Michael Peca added another for the Sabres.

“I was lucky,” Zhitnik said. “ I got the chances and nice passes, and they went in.”

Hasek was hardly challenged before giving up Viktor Kozlov’s goal in the second period to make it 4-1.

Chicago 1, Montreal 0--Jeff Hackett stopped 24 shots for his seventh shutout of the season and Chad Kilger scored with 57 seconds to play in the second period for the Blackhawks at Chicago.

The Blackhawks’ third victory in a row enabled them to end an eight-game winless streak (0-7-1) against Montreal that dated to Dec. 6, 1992.

Colorado 4, Phoenix 3--Claude Lemieux scored the tying goal 37 seconds into the third period and Eric Lacroix scored the game winner with 8:42 to play for the Avalanche at Phoenix.

Colorado is 3-0-1 against the Coyotes this season, 10-1-1 in the last 12 games between the teams. Avalanche goalie Patrick Roy, who stopped 23 shots, including all six in the third period, is 18-1-2 against the Coyote franchise.

Boston 4, Toronto 0--Steve Heinze scored two second-period goals and Byron Dafoe stopped 23 shots for his sixth shutout for the Bruins, who won at Boston to end a winless stretch (0-6-3) against the Maple Leafs.

The win was Boston’s fourth in five games. The Bruins are 7-2-2 in their last 11.