Mike Modano's third-period goal snapped a tie and lifted the slumping Stars to a 2-1 victory against the Rangers last night in the return to Madison Square Garden of noted pest Sean Avery.

Avery heard boos from the crowd that mostly adored him during his 1 1/2 seasons with the Rangers, cheers when he was leveled twice in the third period, and mocking singsong chants of his name when he picked himself off the ice after a hit by Dan Girardi.

Modano made it all worth it for the Stars, who had allowed an NHL-high 23 goals in starting the season 1-3-1.

Girardi's clearing attempt in front of Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist went right to Modano in the left circle. He snapped off a shot that beat Lundqvist high 8:03 into the third for his third goal.

New York is 1-2-1 since jumping out to a 5-0-0 start to season. .

• Canadiens 3, Panthers 1: Francis Bouillon scored 10:53 into the third period in his season debut and the Montreal Canadiens extended their winning streak to five games with a 3-1 victory against the visiting Panthers.

• Devils center Bobby Holik will be out three to four weeks with a broken pinkie. He is scheduled for surgery today. The Devils recalled left wing Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond from Lowell of the AHL to take Holik's roster spot. He is expected to play tomorrow against Dallas, skating with Mike Rupp and David Clarkson. ... The Hurricanes have returned their No. 1 draft pick to his junior hockey team. Forward Zach Boychuk will return to the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League. Carolina took Boychuk with the 14th overall selection in the June draft.