Sunday March 2

There were 7 games up for grabs on a busy Sunday around the NHL. Let us take a look at the Former Islander efforts from the 2nd day of March:

* Martin Straka scored a powerplay goal and added an assist as the New York Rangers edged the visiting Philadelphia Flyers 5-4 in the SO. Straka has 12 goals and 19 assists for 31 points on 49 games. Straka has notched 30+ points on a season for the 10th time on his career. Over the last 8 games Straka has recorded 9 points on 2 goals and 7 assists. Rangers' backup goaltender Stephen Valiquette received the win after taking over for a shaky Henrik Lundqvist. Valiquette stopped 17 of 18 shots in 45 minutes of play and stopped both attempts in the SO to secure the win. He also received 2nd star of the game honor and improved to 5-3-2 on the season with a .917 save percentage, a 2.13 goals against average and 2 shutouts.

* Roberto Luongo took the loss stopping 22 of 26 shots as the Vancouver Canucks fell to the host Chicago Blackhawks 4-1. Luongo was pulled midway through the 3rd period after starting his 14th straight game. Luongo fell to 28-19-9 on the season with a .921 save percentage, a 2.24 goals against average and 6 shutouts. Luongo is 0-1-2 over his last 3 starts.

* Olli Jokinen assisted on the lone goal as the Florida Panthers blanked the host Islanders 1-0. O-Jok has 62 points (30 goals, 32 assists) on 68 games.

* Robert Nilsso assisted on Edmonton's 3rd goal but missed on his attempt in the 1st round of the SO as the Oilers eked by the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3. Nilsson has 8 goals and 21 assists for 29 points on 55 games. He is currently riding a 4 game point streak in which he has recorded a goal and 3 assists for 4 points. Defenseman Denis Grebeshkov assisted on Edmonton's 1st goal. Grebeshkov has 2 goals and 11 assists for 13 points on 55 games. Columbus d-man Dick Tarnstrom tied the game up with only 2:39 remaining in regulation. Tarnstrom has 3 goals and 9 assists for 12 points on 39 games this season. Tarnstrom has 2 goals and 5 assists for 7 points on 10 games since joining Columbus. Over the last 2 games he has 3 points on 1 goal and 2 assists.

Check back soon for more updates.