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BOX SCORE
NEW YORK (AP) -- Mark Messier again made Madison Square Garden
his playground.
|  | | Montreal's Patrick Poulin gives chase to a streaking Brian Leetch. |
Messier made a triumphant return to New York and the Rangers -- the team he left as a free agent three years ago -- scoring the
winning goal in a 3-1 victory Wednesday night over the Montreal
Canadiens.
It wasn't the prettiest of the 184 goals he tallied wearing a
Rangers jersey, but it led to the victory he wanted more than
anything.
"The best part about the first two games is that we're 2-0,"
said Messier, who moved into sole possession of sixth place on the
NHL's career goal list with 628.
Radek Dvorak scored twice for the Rangers, who won their home
opener for the first time since 1995 and improved to 2-0 for the
first time in a decade.
Messier's goal came just 24 seconds into the final period as he
carried the puck to the right of Canadiens goalie Jeff Hackett.
Messier tried to pass out in front, but the puck hit the shin guard
of Montreal defenseman Eric Weinrich and ricocheted nto the net to
make it 2-0.
"Twenty-three years later, it's always nice to score a goal no
matter how they go in," Messier said. "Weinrich actually made a
good play to take the ice away from (Adam) Graves. It's just one of
those things where the hockey gods must have been looking over
us."
Messier, who had an assist in New York's 2-1 opening-night
victory over Atlanta, returned this summer as a free agent, signing
a two-year deal. Messier, who led the Rangers to the 1994 Stanley
Cup -- ending 54 years of frustration -- was honored as part of a
30-minute pregame ceremony celebrating the Rangers' 75th season and
their captains.
"I actually was a little bit nervous at the start of the game.
I couldn't believe it," Messier said. "I've played in a lot of
big games, a lot of different situations, but for some reason ...
"I don't know if I was putting a lot of pressure on myself to
play a good game or do too much too early, but I felt better as the
game went along."
Rangers coach Ron Low said he could tell Messier was a bit
excited.
"I thought he was very nervous in the first period," Low said.
"He handled the puck a couple of times and it kept bouncing off
his stick. For that guy to be nervous, it shows the way he plays
and how much he cares."
The Captain, who reclaimed his title from Brian Leetch -- who
uncomfortably held it in his absence -- received a four-minute
standing ovation from his beloved fans as he was the last New York
player introduced to the crowd.
"I think that's from a lot of hard work from a lot of people in
winning the Stanley Cup," Messier said. "I'll take the applause
for myself, but there's so many more people who deserve that."
Dvorak gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead on the power play with a
wrist shot over Hackett's stick at 1:13 of the second period.
Defenseman Craig Rivet got Montreal within a goal, 2-1, at 2:58
of the third by blasting a long shot past Kirk McLean. McLean,
playing in place of injured goalie Mike Richter -- who's recovering from
offseason knee surgery -- made 28 saves.
"It was a big night for the Rangers and the 75th anniversary,"
McLean said. "It was such a great buzz in the crowd. It's great to
play behind."
Dvorak restored the two-goal lead with nine minutes remaining,
taking a beautiful pass across the crease from Petr Nedved and
directing the puck past Hackett, who played well in stopping 29
shots.
It was Hackett's second strong game after a rough start. Hackett
made 16 saves in Tuesday's victory over Edmonton after allowing
seven goals on 38 shots in two losses. But even he was impressed by
Messier.
"He had a lot of energy," he said. "You could see in his eyes
he was excited."
The Canadiens were 0-for-7 on the power play while New York was
2-for-6.
Saku Koivu, who had two goals and two assists in Montreal's
first three games, sprained his left knee in the first period and
did not return.
"We have no idea," Montreal coach Alain Vigneault said when
asked about the severity of the injury.
Game notes
New York D Vladimir Malakhov, signed as a free agent, was
scratched after sustaining a slight left knee sprain in the opener. ... In their four games, the Canadiens have
waited through four pregame ceremonies. Montreal was in New Jersey
last Friday when the Devils raised their Stanley Cup banner and the
next night they waited while the Toronto Maple Leafs saluted
veteran Wendel Clark. Tuesday night's home opener featured a
tribute to the late Maurice "Rocket" Richard. ... The Canadiens
had won three of four at Madison Square Garden. ... New York's
first four goals this season came on the power play.
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ALSO SEE
NHL Scoreboard
Montreal Clubhouse
NY Rangers Clubhouse
Messier returns to New York in grand style
RECAPS
NY Rangers 3
Montreal 1
Washington 3
Atlanta 3
Edmonton 4
Detroit 3
Toronto 3
NY Islanders 2
Philadelphia 3
Minnesota 3
St. Louis 4
Los Angeles 4
Boston 3
Anaheim 2
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Craig Rivet rips the shot past Kirk McLean.
avi: 1034 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Radek Dvorak scores his second goal of the night.
avi: 972 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Mark Messier scores his first goal since his return to New York.
avi: 1297 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Radek Dvorak scores the power-play goal off the nice feed from Brian Leetch.
avi: 1238 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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