Lemieux Returns, Penguins Still Fall

Mario Lemieux’s return couldn’t prevent the Pittsburgh Penguins from dropping to 0-4.

Slava Kozlov scored twice to lead the Buffalo Sabres to a 4-1 victory Sunday at Buffalo over the Penguins, who matched their 1983 team for the worst start in franchise history.

Lemieux, the NHL’s six-time scoring champion, failed to register a point after missing two games with a strained hip. His presence couldn’t bolster a sluggish offense that has managed just seven goals this season.

While the Penguins might have opened 0-4, as they did in 1983, they’re not going to finish the same way, they say.

“We finished last, dead last in the league,� Lemieux said, referring to the 1983-84 team that went on to manage just 16 wins. “I promise you we’re not going to finish last.�

Martin Straka scored his third goal of the year for the Penguins, cutting the Sabres’ lead to 2-1 three minutes into the third period.

Miroslav Satan and James Patrick added goals for the Sabres, while goaltender Martin Biron stopped 25 shots.

The Penguins’ longest stretch without a win to open a season came in 1969, when they started 0-3-3.

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Chicago 2, Columbus 2-Eric Daze’s second goal of the game early in the third period gave the Blackhawks a tie at Columbus.

Grant Marshall and Tyler Wright scored power-play goals for Columbus (0-1-4). Lyle Odelein assisted on both. Michael Nylander had two assists for the Blackhawks (2-3-1).

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Edmonton 3, Minnesota 3--Janne Niinimaa came out of the penalty box and set up Rem Murray for the tying goal in the third period for visiting Edmonton (4-1-1).

The second-year Wild have not lost this season (3-0-2).