Young Penguins Skate by Blackhawks 1-0

<br>The Pittsburgh Penguins' latest victory was one that team owner Mario Lemieux must've enjoyed. <br><br>Youth was served, and Lemieux the player was able to take a back seat in favor of a trio

Friday, October 31st 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The Pittsburgh Penguins' latest victory was one that team owner Mario Lemieux must've enjoyed.

Youth was served, and Lemieux the player was able to take a back seat in favor of a trio of rookies.

Marc-Andre Fleury, the No. 1 pick in this year's draft, stopped 20 shots to earn his first NHL shutout and left wing Konstantin Kolstov scored his first goal Thursday night in the Penguins' 1-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks.

The combination of offense and defense produced a crisp victory for first-year coach Ed Olczyk, who was drafted third overall by the Blackhawks in 1984.

``This is my hometown, and coming back to where I started my career and finished my (playing) career, it's a special feeling,'' Olczyk said. ``I wish we could have played a couple more periods. It's our only time in here this year.''

Fleury must be thinking the same thing, that is if he is thinking about anything other than his shutout.

``I tried to not think about it, but I did though,'' said Fleury, the 18-year-old goalie who was the top overall pick in this year's draft. ``I was crossing my fingers, hoping that they would not score. I was happy that nothing went by.''

In other NHL games, it was the New York Rangers 4, Carolina 1; Buffalo 5, Toronto 3; San Jose 2, Tampa Bay 2; Montreal 1, Boston 0 in overtime; Florida 3, Ottawa 2; Minnesota 3, Atlanta 2; New Jersey 3, Philadelphia 2; Nashville 5, Detroit 3; Edmonton 4, Columbus 3 in overtime; and Vancouver 3, Los Angeles 1.

Kolstov made Pittsburgh's first road win of the season possible with the game's only goal.

He took a pass from Martin Straka, made a quick move around center Brett McLean and lifted the puck over the right pad of goaltender Michael Leighton.

``He was smiling ear-to-ear,'' Olczyk said. ``The face shield couldn't hide it.''

Starting on consecutive nights for the first time this season, Fleury looked sharp.

``Marc has played extremely well,'' Olczyk said. ``He deserved a night like this.''

And Olczyk's players were happy to make his night that much more meaningful.

``We always want to win, but maybe for him tonight it's a bit special,'' Fleury said.

Rangers 4, Hurricanes 1

At New York, Petr Nedved scored the Rangers' first power-play goal of the season, snapping a second-period tie.

Kevin Weekes, who posted shutouts in his previous two games, made 22 saves but lost for the first time in six starts.

Sharks 2, Lightning 2

At Tampa, Fla., Dave Andreychuk scored a game-tying, power-play goal early in the third period for unbeaten Tampa Bay (6-0-1).

The Sharks are 0-3-4 in their last seven games.

Sabres 5, Maple Leafs 3

At Buffalo, N.Y., Miroslav Satan scored his 200th career goal with the Sabres and added an assist.

Alexei Zhitnik and Ales Kotalik each had a goal and an assist as Buffalo won for the fourth time in five games.

Canadiens 1, Bruins 0, OT

At Boston, Joe Juneau ended Montreal's drought of over three games without a goal when he scored 1:39 into overtime.

The Canadiens had not scored since Saturday against Ottawa, a span of 199 minutes, 25 seconds. Jose Theodore earned his third shutout of the season.

Panthers 3, Senators 2

At Ottawa, Byron Ritchie scored his first goal in over a year and Steve Shields made 30 saves as Florida snapped the Senators' four-game winning streak.

Devils 3, Flyers 2

At East Rutherford, N.J., Mike Rupp scored his second goal of the game with 8:43 to play and New Jersey won for the first time at home.

Scott Stevens set up the game-winner and scored the other goal as the Devils rallied from a 2-0 deficit to win for the first time in five games (1-3-1) at Continental Airlines Arena.

Wild 3, Thrashers 2

At St. Paul, Minn., Andrew Brunette and Filip Kuba each had a power-play goal and an assist for Minnesota.

Manny Fernandez made 21 saves and survived a furious rally by Atlanta in the final minute. Wes Walz added a goal as another power play was expiring.

Ilya Kovalchuk scored his league-leading 11th goal for Atlanta, which failed to earn a point for just the second time this season (5-2-2-1).

Predators 5, Red Wings 3

At Nashville, Tenn., Greg Johnson scored two of the Predators' three second-period goals, and Marek Zidlicky added three assists.

Nashville's first win over Detroit in more than a year spoiled Curtis Joseph's season debut in goal.

Canucks 3, Kings 1

At Los Angeles, Mattias Ohlund, Daniel Sedin and Brendan Morrison scored for Vancouver, and Dan Cloutier made 16 of his 37 saves in the second period.

The Canucks are unbeaten in six games, but won for the first time on the road. Vancouver has scored first in each of their 10 games, tying a team record.

Oilers 4, Blue Jackets 3

At Edmonton, Alberta, Brad Isbister scored 2:29 into overtime to beat Columbus.

Rick Nash scored twice, including the tying goal late in the third period for the Blue Jackets who have lost six straight.

Todd Marchant, playing his first game against his former Oilers teammates, appeared to score the winner with just over a minute left in regulation but the goal was disallowed.