Lemieux paces potent Penguins

NOTEBOOK

Mario Lemieux had a goal and assisted on three power-play goals to help the Penguins finish their pre- season schedule with a 7- 1 rout of the Washington Capitals last night in Pittsburgh. Lemieux had two goals and nine assists in four exhibition games.

Ziggy Palffy added two goals and an assist for Pittsburgh, and Rico Fata, Mark Recchi, Rob Scuderi and Ric Jackman also scored. Rookie Sidney Crosby had an assist, giving him a goal and three assists in five pre- season games. CAMP SENSATION CUT:

Guillaume Latendresse is heading back to junior hockey after the Montreal Canadiens assigned the promising forward to the QMJHL’s Drummondville Voltigeurs yesterday. The 18- year- old has been impressive at training camp, recording three goals and two assists in four pre- season games. The 6- foot- 2 Latendresse, who became a fan favourite in Montreal for his tenacious physical play, was in competition for a spot on one of the forward lines with prospects Chris Higgins, Tomas Plekanec and Alexander Perezhogin. Last night, Dany Heatley scored two goals and set up another as the Ottawa Senators posted a 3- 0 victory over the Canadiens. Rookie Brandon Bochenski also scored for Ottawa, which broke open the game with two quick goals in the third period. Dominik Hasek and Ray Emery combined for the shutout. ICEDOG IN HOUSTON:

The Minnesota Wild assigned centre Patrick O’Sullivan to the AHL’s Houston Aeros. O’Sullivan was limited to two pre- season games with the Wild because of a shoulder injury. Minnesota’s second- round pick in the 2003 NHL draft, O’Sullivan recorded 31 goals and 59 assists with the OHL’s Mississauga IceDogs last season.