Bossy Scores a First: 40 Goals for 8 Seasons in Row

Mike Bossy became the first National Hockey League player to score 40 goals in eight consecutive seasons when he had a goal and four assists Tuesday night at Uniondale, N.Y., to lead the New York Islanders to a 7-5 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.

Bossy, in just his eighth NHL season, needs 10 goals in the last 27 games to make it 50 or more goals in each of his NHL seasons.

It was the second win in a row for the Islanders since Coach Al Arbour screamed at them after a 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils. Arbour was upset because of the team’s lax play.

Against Pittsburgh Saturday night, the Islanders scored twice in the first 10 minutes. Against the Flyers, they scored four times in the first period, with Bossy assisting on three of the goals.

Bossy scored his 40th goal midway through the second period. After the Flyers, who got three goals from Ilka Sinisalo, battled back to tie, 5-5, late in the period, Bossy set up Brent Sutter for the winning goal.

With the victory, the Islanders moved within five points of the Flyers in the battle for second place in the Patrick Division.

Washington 4, Toronto 1--The Capitals are making a runaway of the Patrick Division. With defenseman Mike McEwen getting them started, with his third goal in two games, the Capitals increased their lead in the division to 10 points.

Goaltender Pat Riggin lost his shutout in this game at Toronto, when Peter Ihnacak scored on a power play with 6:24 remaining in the game. But Riggin stopped 19 shots and won his 59th game to become the Capitals’ all-time leader in victories.

The Capitals’ defense was so strong that the Maple Leafs couldn’t score when they had a two-minute, two-man advantage, including a five-minute major to defenseman Larry Murphy for high sticking.

Calgary 4, Montreal 2--Paul Reinhart scored on a power play with six minutes remaining at Montreal to break a 2-2 tie and enable the Flames to take over sole possession of second place in the Smythe Division. Lanny McDonald scored the final goal into an empty net with nine seconds left.

After Reinhart’s quick wrist shot from close range beat goaltender Steve Penney, angry Forum fans showered the ice with debris, delaying the game five minutes.