NHL Playoffs Roundup : Capitals Defeat Islanders in Second Overtime

Mike Gartner skated behind the New York goal and put a shot past Kelly Hrudey at 1:23 of the second overtime period to give the Washington Capitals a disputed 2-1 victory over the New York Islanders Thursday night at Landover, Md.

Washington’s second straight overtime victory gave the Capitals a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five Patrick Division semifinal, which resumes Saturday night at Uniondale, N.Y.

The Islanders, who came into the series with a 21-5 overtime record in playoff competition, complained that Washington’s Greg Adams was illegally in the crease, but officials disallowed the protest.

Each team had 30 shots in regulation time. The Capitals outshot the Islanders, 8-7, in the first extra period, but Hrudey and Washington’s Al Jensen made spectacular saves in the longest overtime game ever for each club.

The Islanders did not score until Bryan Trottier poked in a rebound at 7:41 of the third period to forge a 1-1 tie.

The Capitals led for most of the game after Lou Franceschetti scored at 5:44 of the first period against Hrudey.

Hrudey started in place of Billy Smith, who had been New York’s goalie in its last 34 playoff games and who had made 34 saves while losing, 4-3, in overtime Wednesday. Hrudey won only 3 of his last 10 starts in the regular season.

Montreal 5, Boston 3--Chris Nilan scored the go-ahead goal with 4:20 left in a three-goal final period at Montreal.

The victory evened the Adams Division semifinal series at one game apiece. The series resumes Saturday at Boston Garden.

Montreal trailed, 3-2, after two periods, but rookie defenseman Chris Chelios scored on a power-play slap shot 20 seconds into the third period.

The Canadiens added a goal with 1:39 left when Guy Carbonneau shoveled in a rebound of a shot by Nilan.

Quebec 3, Buffalo 2--Defenseman Normand Rochefort, who had only three goals during the regular season, scored at 4:51 of the third period for the winning goal at Quebec as the Nordiques took a 2-0 lead over the Sabres in their best-of-five Adams Division semifinal series.

Game 3 will be Saturday night at Buffalo, where the Sabres will try to avoid elimination in three straight games by the Nordiques for the second year in a row.

The Sabres have not won at Le Colisee since December 1982.

Trailing, 2-1, going into the third period, the Sabres evened the score at 14:28 when Phil Housley slid a shot under the pads of Quebec goalie Mario Gosselin.

Winnipeg 5, Calgary 2--Scott Arniel scored the go-ahead goal at 8:58 of the third period at Winnipeg to lift the Jets to the win and a 2-0 lead over the Flames in their Smythe Division semifinal series.

The series resumes Saturday at Calgary.

Laurie Boshman added an insurance goal for the Jets at 18:38, and Ron Wilson scored into an empty net in the final minute.

There were five fights and 104 penalty minutes in the game.

The Jets are unbeaten in their last 15 games, including the last 13 regular-season contests.

Philadelphia 3, N.Y. Rangers 1--Rookie Todd Bergen scored two goals, including the go-ahead score early in the third period at Philadelphia, as the Flyers built a 2-0 lead over the Rangers in their Patrick Division series.

Game 3 is Saturday in New York.

Ilkka Sinisalo scored for the Flyers with 2:20 left in the game.

The Rangers outshot Philadelphia, 39-36, but Flyer goalie Pelle Lindbergh was brilliant in the nets, allowing only George McPhee’s goal 61 seconds into the second period.

Lindbergh turned back Don Maloney and Grant Ledyard on a New York power play midway through the third period.

Chicago 6, Detroit 1--Ken Yaremchuk and Al Secord scored goals 33 seconds apart in a three-goal first period at Chicago as the Black Hawks routed the Red Wings to take a 2-0 lead in their Norris Division semifinal series.

The Black Hawks can advance to the second round with a victory in Game 3 Saturday at Detroit.

Goalie Murray Bannerman slowed the high-powered Detroit offense throughout the game. Detroit outshot Chicago, 31-25, but Bannerman only allowed a goal to Joe Kocur at 7:20 of the final period.

Minnesota 4, St. Louis 3--Willi Plett and Keith Acton each scored two goals at St. Louis as the North Stars won and took a 2-0 lead over the Blues in their Norris Division semifinal series.

Game 3 is Saturday at Minneapolis.

Plett broke a 2-2 tie at 7:17 of the third period, and Acton added a goal later in the period.

Minnesota’s Gilles Meloche stopped 41 St. Louis shots, allowing two goals to Brian Sutter and one to Doug Gilmour with 31 seconds left.