KEN HITCHCOCK thinks having a fast start is important. Who can argue with him? The Flyers' coach had lamented how his team had started slowly the past three games. Then, the Flyers came out and scored two goals in the first 31 seconds in a 6-2 beating of the New York Islanders on Saturday night. They set the tone for the rest of the game and chased another big-name goalie from the net.

Chris Osgood lasted a half-period less than Montreal's Jose Theodore did Thursday night in that 6-2 Flyers' win.

Justin Williams' goal at 16 seconds and Michal Handzus' goal at 31 seconds set a team record for the two fastest goals at the start of a game.

It was the third-fastest two goals in NHL history. Edmonton did it in 24 seconds at Los Angeles on March 28, 1982 (Mark Messier and Dave Lumley), and Pittsburgh did it in 29 seconds vs. Chicago on Dec. 6, 1981 (George Ferguson and Greg Malone).

The Flyers' prolific goal production so far this season, 32 goals in eight games, is only two behind league-leading Detroit, which has 34 in nine games.

Speaking of fast starts

Selling tickets is becoming a big problem in the economy-challenged NHL, but apparently not in Minnesota, where the Wild is off to a huge start in front of sellout crowds every game.

The Wild leads the difficult Northwest Division with Colorado creeping up.

Before last night's game against Colorado, the Wild was 6-1-1, winning the last three, including a 6-1 victory at Phoenix, which comes into the First Union Center on Thursday.

Minnesota's fast start is impressive since coach Jacques Lemaire is the master of the obstruction-based neutral zone trap, something the league has cracked down on. Credit Marian Gaborik, a 30-goal scorer last season, for part of the success as he continues to emerge as one of the league's next superstars. He is second in the league in scoring with five goals and eight assists for 13 points.

Lightning in the East

After finishing last season tied for the third-worst record in the East, Tampa Bay has gotten off to its best start in team history with a 5-1-2 mark. The Lightning lost Saturday night to the Devils, 5-1.

Super Mario

When Mario Lemieux retired from hockey, he said part of the reason was the way the game was being played, or not played. The clutching and grabbing wore on his abilities and his back.

Anyone wondering what Lemieux thinks now that the league is cracking down on obstruction?

"I think the league is seeing a big improvement in the way the game is being played," Lemieux said last week. "I'm sure they're going to keep it that way hopefully forever, bring back the game we had in the '70s and '80s where, you know, it was pretty much a skating game, puck movement, the give-and-go. I think that's back in the game now. It's great to see.

"I think if we can continue to put some numbers on the boards, to see our great young players play the way they're playing now, with a different style, I think it's going to bring back a lot of our fans we lost over the last few years."

But will it extend Lemieux's career?

"No, I'm going to play as long as I'm going to be healthy and playing at a high level and having fun. When I came back a couple years ago, it was really because I missed the game for so many years. A big part of it was my son, who loves the game. I thought it would be neat for him to see me play before it's too late.

"I'm just enjoying the game now. It's a lot more fun to play, especially early this year with the new rules. I'm enjoying the practices, being around the guys. Especially when you get a little older, you appreciate these things a lot more."

It's great to see Lemieux back and healthy. He leads the league in scoring with four goals and 14 assists for 18 points. If he stays healthy, he runs away with the scoring title.

Oldest, biggest, etc.

The league statistics people were busy last week sorting all manner of stuff that only completely hockey-mad people think about. Stuff like where most of the 714 NHL players come from. Canada, big surprise, is first with 383, followed by Europe with 238, and the United States with 93. The U.S. is down eight players from last season's 101, and Canada is up eight from 375.

The oldest team in the league is Chicago, average age 30.8; the youngest is Florida at 25. The Flyers' average age is 28.2, the 14th oldest.

NHL players are heavier this year, at 204.1 pounds, up on average by 3.9 pounds. Washington is the heaviest team at 212 pounds followed by the Flyers at 210. The heaviest player in the league is Ottawa's Zdeno Chara, at 260.

And, finally, here's one you would never think to ask. Which team has the most U.S. states represented?

The Flyers with six: Indiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Vermont and Virginia.

Roy record

With his appearance in net against Phoenix on Thursday night, Colorado's Patrick Roy set another NHL record. The game was his 972nd, passing the mark of Terry Sawchuk. Roy made 27 saves, extending his record of career wins to 519.

Roy made his first appearance in a game at 19 in the 1984-85 season as a call-up from the Canadiens' minor league team. Roy came in at the start of the third period, made two saves and recorded his first win. He has since set or tied 10 NHL records.

Since starting his career, Roy has made the most starts against the Boston Bruins (67), followed by Carolina/Hartford (63), Buffalo (55), Edmonton (49) and Colorado/Quebec (46).