Thrashers Rout Flyers With Petrovicky’s Help

Ronald Petrovicky scored twice -- running his total to three goals in the last two games -- and Byron Dafoe made 25 saves to help the host Atlanta Thrashers defeat the Philadelphia Flyers, 4-1, Sunday night.

Ilya Kovalchuk scored his NHL-leading 21st goal and Slava Kozlov also scored for the Thrashers, who won their second in a row after a three-game losing streak. They increased their lead in the Southeast Division to seven points over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“We’ve had a good first half of the season, but we can’t hang our hat on that,” Dafoe said. “Points are harder to get in the second half.”

John LeClair had a power-play goal for the Flyers, who fell behind, 1-0, for the 13th consecutive game when Petrovicky scored only 1 minute 29 seconds after the faceoff.

Philadelphia has won only once in seven games (1-2-2-2), but stayed tied with Toronto for the points lead in the NHL.

New York Islanders 5, Washington 4 -- Alexei Yashin broke a tie early in the third period and the Islanders won at Washington for the first time since 1997.

The Islanders ended a two-game losing streak and a six-game road skid.

New York had been outscored, 10-2, in two previous losses to the Capitals this season.

Robert Lang had two power-play goals for the Capitals.

New Jersey 2, Chicago 2 -- Ville Nieminen scored with 3:49 remaining in the third period to give the Blackhawks a tie at home.

Chicago ended a two-game losing streak but has only one victory in its last 20 games (1-12-4-3). New Jersey finished its five-game trip with three victories and a tie.