NHL Roundup : Gretzky’s Goal, 2 Assists Get Oilers Back on Track

The Oilers, hammered Wednesday night at Winnipeg, took their wrath out on Calgary Friday night at Edmonton.

Wayne Gretzky scored a short-handed goal and set up two power-play scores to lead the Oilers to a 5-3 victory, giving them a 6-1-0 record for the season.

Gretzky was criticized by Coach Glen Sather for his play in the 9-3 loss to the Jets. He had only one assist in the game.

In the closing seconds of the first period Friday, Gretzky passed to Craig McTavish for a goal. Early in the second period, while killing a penalty, Gretzky went in alone to beat rookie goaltender Marc D’Amour. It was his fourth goal of the season and the Oilers’ fifth short-handed goal.

The Oilers built a 5-1 lead before Paul Baxter scored a short-handed goal for the Flames near the middle of the third period.

The Oilers, playing a spirited game throughout, missed several more goals only because D’Amour made a number of spectacular saves.

The victory put the Oilers alone at the top of the Smythe Division.

Washington 7, Winnipeg 7--In their first game without the anchor of their defense, Rod Langway, the Capitals gave up seven goals at Winnipeg. Langway injured ligaments in his knee Wednesday night at Calgary and will be out three weeks.

Alan Haworth, getting an assist from goaltender Al Jensen, scored the tying goal for the Capitals with 4:33 remaining. Two minutes earlier, Haworth assisted on Dwight Schofield’s goal that made it close.

Buffalo 5, Vancouver 4--The Sabres spotted the tough Canucks a 3-1 lead in the first period at Buffalo, then rallied to end a three-game winless string.

Gilbert Perreault and Sean McKenna led the Sabres’ rally. McKenna’s goal early in the final period proved decisive.