Associated Press
RALEIGH ó The Carolina Hurricanes have re-acquired left wing Erik Cole in a three-team deal that sends right wing Justin Williams to the Los Angeles Kings.
Carolina got center Patrick O’Sullivan and a second-round pick from Los Angeles on Wednesday in exchange for Williams. Carolina then traded O’Sullivan and its second-round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft to Edmonton to get Cole and the Oilers’ fifth-round pick in 2009.
Cole, who played with Carolina from 2001 through 2008, had 16 goals and 11 assists in 63 games with the Oilers.
Williams was placed on injured reserve last month with a broken hand. He had already sat out the first two months of the season with a torn Achilles’ tendon, and missed 43 games last season after having knee surgery.
WEDNESDAY GAMES
BUFFALO, N.Y. ó Patrick Lalime stopped the first 36 shots he faced and benefited from Buffalo’s best offensive output in three weeks, leading the Sabres to a 5-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.
Derek Roy and Paul Gaustad scored goals two each, and Jaroslav Spacek had a goal and assist. Thomas Vanek returned to the Sabres after missing nine games with a broken jaw.
Red Wings 3, Avalanche 2
DENVER ó Ty Conklin made 25 saves, and the Detroit Red Wings took the overall NHL lead with 3-2 victory over the faltering Colorado.