The New York Rangers returned from a five-day layoff with a bang, getting a goal from Steve Avery just 10 seconds into the game before crushing the Buffalo Sabres 5-1.

The goal, the fastest ever scored by a Ranger in a home game, triggered a four-goal burst over the first 12:25 as the Rangers overwhelmed the in-form Sabres.

"That start was everything we could have hoped for," Rangers coach Tom Renney said.

"We were a passionate team that wanted to come out and make it clear to Buffalo, who has been very good lately, that they were going to have their hands full tonight."

The Sabres came in 8-0-2 in the last 10 games, led by goalie Ryan Miller who was chased from the goal under the New York siege with 7:35 left in the first period.

Avery put home a rebound of a Brandon Dubinsky backhander for the second quickest goal in Rangers' history.

"I think it's always the intention to make a statement early in the game, but you can never predict being able to score on the first shift," said Dubinsky, who had a goal and two assists as the Rangers moved back into a playoff spot and raised their record to 7-3-1 over the last 11 games.

New York goalie Henrik Lundqvist, in his first game since signing a new long-term contract, won his 25th game of the year and lost his shutout bid at 13:02 of the third period.

Avery scored again, Jaromir Jagr had two assists and Martin Straka recorded his 700th NHL point.

Thomas Vanek scored for Buffalo.

Rookie Carey Price stopped 34 shots for his first NHL shutout and Andrei Kostitsyn scored a spectacular goal as the Montreal Canadiens edged the visiting Philadelphia Flyers 1-0.

Darcy Tucker's second goal of the game, 3:39 into overtime, gave the Toronto Maple Leafs a 4-3 home victory over the Boston Bruins.

Arron Asham scored twice, his first goals since December 16, and the New Jersey Devils scored a 3-2 road win over the Ottawa Senators.

The Devils' second win over Ottawa in four days moved New Jersey to within two points of the Senators for first place in the Eastern Conference.

The Carolina Hurricanes won their third straight, rallying for a 5-4 home victory over the Florida Panthers as Ray Whitney struck the winner with 4:21 left.

The Phoenix Coyotes presented Wayne Gretzky with his 99th coaching victory as Radim Vrbota scored a powerplay goal with 7:06 left for a 4-3 home victory over the Los Angeles Kings.

The Vancouver Canucks won on home ice as Daniel Sedin's goal broke a 2-2 tie 7:45 into the third period en route to a fight-loaded 4-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

Reuters