NHL Roundup : Rangers Get 6 in First Period, Hold Off Oilers for an 8-7 Win

Mike Rogers scored twice in a six-goal first period that set two team records as the New York Rangers snapped a five-year home drought against the Edmonton Oilers with an 8-7 victory Friday night.

The win was the Rangers’ first over the Oilers at Madison Square Garden since Feb. 20, 1980. Edmonton was 6-0-1 in that span.

New York fell behind, 3-1, surrendering goals to Wayne Gretzky, Dave Hunter and Billy Carroll while getting one goal from Anders Hedberg--the 400th goal of Hedberg’s professional career.

The Rangers then began their blitz, setting team records of four goals in 1:38 and five goals in 3:22.

Mark Pavelich began the spree at 15:53 with a wrist shot over Edmonton goalie Grant Fuhr’s shoulder on a two-on-one break, followed by goals from Rogers, Ron Greschner, Rogers again, and Grant Ledyard.

Mike Krushelnyski and Gretzky scored second-period goals to lift Edmonton within 6-5, but New York built the lead to 8-5 early in the third period on goals by Reijo Ruotsalainen and Pierre Larouche.

Edmonton got two late goals from Paul Coffey and Jari Kurri.

Montreal 4, Buffalo 3--Mats Naslund scored his 32nd goal of the season on the only shot during overtime to give the Canadiens the win at Buffalo, N.Y.

The victory by the Canadiens, who also got two goals from Larry Robinson, moved Montreal into a first-place tie with the Sabres in the NHL’s Adams Division.

Mike McPhee scored Montreal’s other goal, while Dave Maloney, Mike Foligno and Gilles Hamel tallied for Buffalo.