NHL Roundup : Capitals Win, Stay One Point Ahead of Flyers

Craig Laughlin scored two goals, and goalie Bob Mason posted his eighth consecutive victory as the Washington Capitals maintained their one-point lead over Philadelphia in the Patrick Division with a 6-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins Thursday night at Landover, Md.

The Capitals, who are 21-4-2 in their last 27 games, beat the Penguins for the second straight night and have not lost to Pittsburgh in their last 10 meetings.

Laughlin scored at 19:26 to cap Washington’s three-goal first period, then deflected a shot by Mike McEwen through goalie Roberto Romano at 7:30 of the second period to make it 4-0.

Bob Carpenter scored his 33rd goal for the Capitals.

Philadelphia 7, Detroit 5--Tim Kerr scored four goals, and the Flyers kept the heat on Washington by turning back the Red Wings at Philadelphia.

Kerr tied the Flyers’ record for goals set by Rick MacLeish in 1973 and equaled by Tom Bladon in 1977 and Kerr earlier this season.

Montreal 5, Hartford 4--Mark Hunter scored a pair of first-period goals, and the Canadiens kept the Whalers winless at the Forum in Montreal.

Hartford has not won in Montreal in 19 tries since joining the NHL six seasons ago.

Calgary 4, Boston 3--Jamie Macoun knocked in a 40-foot slapshot with less than four minutes left to lift the Flames past the Bruins at Boston.