Dana Wakiji: NHL Insider

Turning over a new Leaf

Canada's national nightmare is over.

The Maple Leafs won a game.

After starting a franchise-worst 0-7-1, Toronto got a boost from forward Niklas Hagman and the return of rookie Jonas "The Monster" Gustavsson in a 6-3 road victory over Anaheim on Monday.

Hagman doubled his goal total with a hat trick (power play in each period), and Gustavsson, returning from a groin injury, had 25 saves.

"Obviously it's huge," Hagman told NHL.com. "The start of the year was really tough. We didn't play well. The last two games we played pretty well, we just haven't gotten the results. We knew that if we stick with the same game plan, get our team to play the way that we can, that we're going to eventually win."

The Ducks, not exactly tearing up the league either, racked up 17 penalties for 45 minutes, handing the Leafs 11 power plays and extended 5-on-3 time.

Anaheim is last in the Pacific Division at 3-6-1 and has lost four straight.

Raising Arizona

The Coyotes have proven they can't easily be distracted by things going on off the ice.

Their ownership situation has been a dark cloud hovering over the team, but the cloud might be dissipating. On Monday, NHL officials announced an agreement to buy the team from current owner Jerry Moyes .

Despite the uncertainty, coach Dave Tippett and Shane Doan have guided the Coyotes to a 6-4-0 start.

"We heard all summer long how we're going to finish last, we're a terrible team," Doan told NHL.com. "It kind of challenges you, and I think it challenged everybody in the room."

Commissioner Gary Bettman reaffirmed on the Coyotes Web site the league intends to sell the team to someone who plans to keep it in Arizona.

"We believe in this market," he said. "We believe in this team."

Staying confident

The Thrashers didn't like what they heard from their medical team Monday -- forward Ilya Kovalchuk has a broken bone in his right foot and will miss a month.

But coach John Anderson is trying to remain positive.

"I don't think we change our whole thought process because we lose one guy," Anderson told NHL.com. "I would hope not. Again, it's about the team and we can't think, 'Oh, the sky has fallen.' "

Kovalchuk took a puck off his foot against the Sharks last weekend. He had nine goals and an assist in eight games.

"It's very disappointing for Kovy and for us to lose him, but now it's an opportunity for some other players to step up," Atlanta general manager Don Waddell said on the Thrashers Web site.

By the numbers

5 Points for the N.Y. Islanders in overtime games

11 Goals for Washington forward Alex Ovechkin, tops in the league

Dana's top 5

• 1. Colorado: If you were awarding the MVP after 12 games, it has to be G Anderson.

• 2. Pittsburgh: Sure, the Penguins lost to the Devils, but they're 5-0-0 on the road.

• 3. N.Y. Rangers: Holy cow! Rangers have scored a league-leading 46 goals.

• 4. Los Angeles: Speaking of scoring, the Kings are second with 44 goals.

• 5. Washington: After a lull, the Caps have picked up the pace and have won five straight.

Dana's bottom 5

• 26. Carolina: Hurricanes aren't getting blown out, but they're not winning either.

• 27. Minnesota: The Wild are struggling on the road (0-8), but home is a different story (3-0).

• 28. Florida: The Panthers have struggled to score; losing Booth (concussion) won't help.

• 29. N.Y. Islanders: The Islanders finally win one, then lose three in a row.

• 30. Toronto: The Leafs won, but still only have three points in nine games.

More online: Find Dana Wakiji's complete power rankings at detnews.com/wings.

Moving up

Some achievable milestones for the 2009-10 season:

Goals

400: Ottawa RW Alex Kovalev needs 3

Points

1,000: St. Louis LW Paul Kariya needs 47; Ottawa RW Alex Kovalev needs 55

Shutouts

103: New Jersey G Martin Brodeur needs one to tie Terry Sawchuk for 1st

Quotable

“I am honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to carry the Olympic Flame in my home province of Nova Scotia. The torch relay will pass through so many communities and hands on the way to Vancouver and I’m privileged to be part of that special group as the Olympic Flame makes its way to Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Games.”

-- Sidney Crosby, Penguins center, on taking part in the Olympic Torch relay Nov. 18 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.