Hasek Shaken Up in Collision

Hours after acquiring Joe Juneau for the stretch run and getting a late game-tying goal from Miroslav Satan, the Buffalo Sabres came close to losing the franchise, goaltender Dominik Hasek.

Hasek twisted his upper back in a goal-crease collision with Brendan Morrison of the New Jersey Devils in the final minute of overtime in a 1-1 tie Tuesday night at East Rutherford, N.J.

Morrison landed on Hasek’s head and neck as Hasek lay on his back during an odd-man rush by the Devils with 48 seconds to play.

“I felt a big pain between my shoulders,” said Hasek, who kicked his legs and waved his arms while prone on the ice.

Hasek lay on the ice for about two to three minutes before getting up to finish the game. He was treated in the locker room after the game with ice, and he had a red mark from his neck to below his shoulder blades.

“The doctor said it is very important how I feel tomorrow,” said Hasek, who stopped 31 shots in another MVP-type performance. “It’s very difficult to say how exactly what happened. Nothing is broken. Maybe something is messed up. I don’t know.”

Pittsburgh 5, Chicago 2--Jaromir Jagr scored a goal and assisted on two others to raise his NHL-leading point total to 110 as the Penguins romped at Pittsburgh.

Dallas 3, Phoenix 2--Brett Hull scored an unassisted power-play goal that sent the Stars on their way to the victory at Phoenix.

Around the League

The NHL suspended Florida Panther right wing Scott Mellanby one game for cross-checking Ray Ferraro of the Kings last Saturday. Mellanby, anticipating the move, sat out Sunday against the Mighty Ducks. . . . The NHL suspended New Jersey Devil forward Bobby Holik for two games for slashing Toronto Maple Leaf forward Igor Korolev.