NHL Playoffs : Nordiques Defeat Canadiens to Take 3-2 Lead in the Series

Dale Hunter scored the go-ahead goal early in the second period and also handed out two assists Saturday night to lead the Quebec Nordiques to a 5-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens in the Adams Division playoff series, which the Nordiques now lead, three games to two.

The Nordiques could clinch the best-of-seven-game series, and a spot in the Wales Conference playoffs, with a victory Tuesday night at Quebec. A seventh game, if necessary, would be played Thursday at Montreal.

Hunter’s second playoff goal, an unassisted score at 2:25 of the second period, gave the Nordiques a 2-1 lead and started a streak of four straight goals by Quebec. Montreal defenseman Larry Robinson’s errant pass from deep in his own zone went directly to Hunter, who jammed the puck past Canadien goaltender Steve Penney.

Hunter and Bruce Bell assisted at 16:19 on a power-play goal by Mario Lemieux, and Brent Ashton connected at 18:37 to make it 4-1.

Wilf Paiement’s goal at 2:06 of the third period beat substitute goalie Doug Soetaert and gave Quebec a four-goal cushion.