Messier Moves Into Third on Points List

Mark Messier is surprised by his lofty spot in NHL history.

The Ranger captain scored a short-handed goal Monday night to move into third place on the career points list in a 6-3 victory over the Washington Capitals at New York.

Messier’s 23rd goal of the season pushed him past Marcel Dionne with 1,772 points. He added an assist on Radek Dvorak’s short-handed goal in the second period that gave the Rangers a 5-2 advantage.

The 40-year-old center, who has 650 goals and 1,123 assists, trails only Wayne Gretzky (2,875) and Gordie Howe (1,850).

“I never really considered myself a pure goal scorer or a real pure point-getter,” said Messier, a six-time Stanley Cup champion in his 22 NHL seasons.

“When I look at myself, I’m still trying to figure out how I’m still there.”

Jan Hlavac, Kim Johnsson and Brian Leetch also scored in the opening period to give the Rangers a 4-1 lead and chase goalie Olaf Kolzig.

The Capitals lost their fourth in a row.

New Jersey 4, Calgary 2--Scott Gomez scored two goals at Calgary, Canada, and the Devils extended their franchise-record winning streak to 11 games.

The victory clinched a playoff berth for New Jersey, which also recorded its fifth consecutive 40-win season. The Devils also tied a team record with their sixth consecutive road victory and moved into sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of the idle Ottawa Senators. Both teams have 10 games remaining.

Devil goalie Martin Brodeur faced only 13 shots.

Philadelphia 4, Edmonton 2--Mark Recchi had a goal and an assist and Eric Desjardins scored the go-ahead goal late in the second period at Edmonton, Canada, to help the Flyers extend their winning streak to four games.

Edmonton lost its second in a row after going 10 consecutive games without a loss.

Dallas 4, Minnesota 1--Mike Modano scored two first-period goals at St. Paul, Minn., as the Stars extended their unbeaten streak to four games.

Nashville 2, Columbus 1--Cliff Ronning scored the winning goal midway through the third period as the Predators stopped a two-game road losing streak.

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A Fine Mess

New York Ranger center Mark Messier took over third place among the NHL’s all-time leading scorers with a goal and an assist in Monday night’s 6-3 victory over Washington. The top 10:

Points

Wayne Gretzky: 2,857

Gordie Howe: 1,850

Mark Messier*: 1,773

Marcel Dionne: 1,771

Ron Francis*: 1,615

Steve Yzerman*: 1,611

Phil Esposito: 1,590

Ray Bourque*: 1,573

Mario Lemieux*: 1,555

Paul Coffey: 1,531

*-active