NHL Roundup : Red Wings Take Flight With Ogrodnick

John Ogrodnick is carrying the load as the Detroit Red Wings try to make it to the playoffs in successive seasons for the first time in 20 years.

Ogrodnick scored two goals and linemate Ron Duguay scored three Friday night at Detroit to lead the Red Wings to a 6-2 victory over Minnesota. It was a giant step for the Red Wings, who made the playoffs last season for only the second time in 15 seasons.

The Red Wings increased their lead over the North Stars to four points in the battle for third place in the Norris Division. Four teams in each division qualify for post-season play. The Red Wings, with 26 games remaining, lead fifth-place Toronto by 12 points.

Ogrodnick has a career-high 43 goals, 18% of the goals scored by the Red Wings. In the words of Detroit General Manager Jim Devellano, Ogrodnick is the franchise. Those are brave words because after the season Devellano will have to sign his star left winger.

“It was a big win for us,” Ogrodnick said, “but we will continue to struggle until we find another line that can put the puck in the net. When they stop our line, we lose. That’s the story.”

Last month, Washington General Manager David Poile offered a player and two draft choices for Ogrodnick.

“Ogrodnick might make the difference in our bid for the Stanley Cup,” Poile said.

Hartford 4, New Jersey 1--For the second time in a little more than two weeks, goaltender Steve Weeks proved a mystery to the Devils.

On Feb. 14 at Hartford, Weeks led the Whalers to a 4-0 victory. In this one at East Rutherford, N.J., Weeks held the Devils without a goal for almost 50 minutes before Greg Adams beat him with his third goal of the season.

Weeks stopped 28 shots and already had a four-goal cushion when Adams scored.

Calgary 6, Montreal 4--Goaltender Rejean Lemelin stopped 44 shots at Calgary and former Canadien Doug Risebrough scored the game-winner in the Flames’ four-goal third period.

Lemelin was instrumental in moving the Flames into a tie with Winnipeg for second place in the Smythe Division. He stopped 20 of 22 shots in the first period.