By The Associated Press

Canadiens' Oleg Petrov moves the puck past New York Rangers Brian Leetch during the third period. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

NEW YORK - Yanic Perreault had a goal and an assist during Montreal's three-goal second period, leading the Canadiens to a 4-1 season-opening win Friday night and spoiling the home debut of New York Rangers coach Bryan Trottier.

Oleg Petrov had two assists and Mariusz Czerkawski scored an empty-net goal with 3.1 seconds left for the Canadiens. Montreal's Jose Theodore, last season's NHL MVP and Vezina Trophy winner, was sharp in making 20 saves.

Montreal beat the Rangers for the first time since April 5, 2000, ending an 0-7-1 streak.

Montreal went 0-4 against New York last season, when the Canadiens reached the playoffs after a three-year absence and the Rangers failed to qualify for the fifth straight season.

Trottier, who had a Hall of Fame playing career with the rival New York Islanders, received cheers with a smattering of boos when introduced during pregame ceremonies.

New York played without Pavel Bure for the second straight game. He has recovered from a preseason knee injury but is out because of strep throat.

Mikael Samuelsson scored for the Rangers.

Capitals 5, Predators 4

WASHINGTON - Robert Lang poked home the winning goal during a scramble on a 5-on-3 power play with 1:04 remaining to pace the revamped Capitals in their opener.

Lang's score capped a wild third period that included five goals and three 5-on-3 power plays. The Capitals are playing this season under new coach Bruce Cassidy.

Washington's Peter Bondra had two goals and an assist, including a goal that bounced off goaltender Mike Dunham's back. Jaromir Jagr had one goal and two assists for the Capitals.

Capitals newcomer Kip Miller had three assists, and Stephen Peat scored for Washington. Andy Delmore, Vladimir Orszagh, David Legwand and Greg Johnson had goals for the Predators.

Hurricanes 5, Thrashers 3

RALEIGH, N.C. - Joe Vasicek scored the go-ahead goal less than two minutes into the third period and Carolina twice rallied from two-goal deficits to beat Atlanta in the Thrashers' opener.

Atlanta has never beaten Carolina, dropping to 0-13-3 against the Eastern Conference champs.

Vasicek beat goalie Milan Hnilicka to make it 4-3 and Rod Brind'Amour had an insurance goal. Erik Cole, Ron Francis and Sean Hill scored for Carolina to make it 3-3 entering the third.

Vyacheslav Kozolv, Ilya Kovalchuk and Richard Smehlik scored for Atlanta.

Wild 5, Bruins 1

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Andrew Brunette had a goal and an assist and Manny Fernandez stopped 26 shots to carry Minnesota past Boston.

This was the first season-opening win for the third-year Wild, who struck for three goals in the first period.

Also scoring for Minnesota was Sergei Zholtok, Jim Dowd, Richard Park and Wes Walz. Mike Knuble had Boston's only goal in the second period.

Stars 4, Mighty Ducks 2

DALLAS - Bill Guerin led the Stars in their home opener, scoring two goals, assisting on two more and throwing down tough guy Kevin Sawyer who tried messing with him seconds after his third point.

Guerin is the $45 million centerpiece of an offseason overhaul by Dallas, playing under new coach Dave Tippett. Mike Modano added a goal and two assists and Marty Turco was strong in goal.

Dallas' first two goals - by defenseman Sergei Zubov and Guerin - came on the power play. Steve Rucchin and Matt Cullen scored for the Mighty Ducks in the third period.