Hossa Cashes In for Senators in 5-2 Victory Over Rangers

Success is coming so easily to Marian Hossa that he isn’t concerned about when his paycheck will finally arrive.

Hossa scored twice, giving him six goals in three games, and Magnus Arvedson ended a third-period tie to lift the Ottawa Senators over the host New York Rangers, 5-2, Monday night.

The only place things aren’t going well for the Senators is in the bank, where the team was unable to meet payroll last week after a financing plan fell through.

But Hossa, with 27 goals, brought the NHL’s top team into a 1-1 tie in the first period and then stretched Ottawa’s lead to 4-2 at 5:25 of the third. Hossa is one goal behind Vancouver’s Markus Naslund for the league lead.

“Everybody seems to be focused on the game. Nobody is focused on the money issue, which is really good,” Hossa said. “We’re going to get our money back, and everything is going to be fine.”

The Senators lead the league with 56 points.

Ottawa was very focused despite waiting for paychecks that weren’t delivered Jan. 1. A finance plan is expected to be in place this week that will help the club meet its obligations.

Edmonton 5, San Jose 5 -- Dan McGillis scored his second goal of the third period with 5:14 left, completing San Jose’s rally at home from a three-goal deficit.

Scott Thornton started San Jose’s rally with a goal in the Sharks’ wildest home game this season. The teams combined for 78 shots and had numerous scuffles.

Ryan Smyth scored two of Edmonton’s three power-play goals in the first two periods.

Nashville 5, Columbus 1 -- David Legwand and Andreas Johansson each had two goals and an assist at Columbus, Ohio, and the Predators inched closer to moving out of the cellar in the Western Conference.

Goaltender Tomas Vokoun, starting a franchise-record 16th consecutive game, made 21 saves.