NHL Roundup : Paslawski Leads Blues Past Oilers

Greg Paslawski scored three goals and had an assist Tuesday night at St. Louis to lead the Blues to a 7-3 victory over the champion Edmonton Oilers. The defeat ended the Oilers’ unbeaten streak at 12 games.

The Oilers made it a game for only the first 16 minutes. Jari Kurri opened the scoring at 7:19 of the first period, but before Mark Napier scored halfway through the final period, the Blues scored six unanswered goals.

Although the Oilers’ 20-5-4 record is the best in the league, they have had a number of poor performances on the road. In October they were trounced by Winnipeg, 9-3, while last month, Washington beat them, 5-2, and Buffalo shut them out.

Paslawski, who had five goals all season, doesn’t expect to challenge Wayne Gretzky, but he enjoyed his first NHL hat trick.

Gretzky had two assists and has scored in 19 consecutive games. Shortly before game time, Gretzky learned he had won the Lou Marsh Award, which goes to Canada’s top athlete. He also won the award in 1982 and 1983.

“I’m more thrilled about winning the award for a third time because it shows consistency,” Gretzky said. “It’s more difficult every year to win because Canadian athletes keep getting better.”

Quebec 7, Buffalo 3--Peter Stastny and Wilf Paiement each scored twice at Quebec to lead the Nordiques to their sixth victory in a row and sole possession of first place in the Adams Division.

But much of the excitement came after the game when Buffalo Coach Jim Schoenfeld threw a plastic water bottle at referee Terry Gregson. Schoenfeld will probably draw a suspension and a severe fine.

Philadelphia 7, Boston 4--The Flyers dominated this game at Philadelphia, especially when the sides were uneven.

Mark Howe and Brian Propp each scored twice for the Flyers, who had four power-play goals and another when they were short-handed. The Bruins scored two power-play goals.

New York Islanders 7, Pittsburgh 4--Denis Potvin failed to get the point that would have broken the tie with Bobby Orr and made him the top all-time scorer among defensemen.

He enjoyed this one, nevertheless. Sunday, when he tied the record, the Islanders lost. But Mike Bossy’s 18th goal of the season in the third period at Uniondale, N.Y., gave the Islanders the win in this one.

Washington 3, Toronto 2--Larry Murphy and Alan Haworth scored goals 3 1/2 minutes apart in the second period at Landover, Md., to lead the Capitals to a win over the Maple Leafs.

The Capitals, who are 10-1-1 in their last 12 games, begin a five-game trip Saturday against the Kings. The Capitals are 7-0-1 in the last eight games with the Leafs.