NHL Roundup : Potvin Sets Record; Islanders Win, 9-2

Denis Potvin broke the NHL record for goals scored by a defenseman, and rookie Mikko Makela had five points to lead the New York Islanders to a 9-2 win over Toronto Tuesday night at Uniondale, N.Y.

Makela had two goals and three assists. His first assist set up Potvin’s 271st goal, which broke a tie with Bobby Orr.

Orr scored his 271 goals in 657 games. This was Potvin’s 900th game.

His 40-foot shot from the left face-off circle in the second period gave the Islanders a 2-0 lead.

The Sutters, Brian and Duane, helped turn the game into a rout in the third period. The win was the third in a row for the Islanders, a distant third in the Patrick Division.

“We’re in a real fight just to make the playoffs,” Coach Al Arbour said. “We can’t be looking ahead in the standings. Pittsburgh and the Rangers aren’t that far ahead.

“It is encouraging that last week we beat the two top teams and tonight we dominated Toronto. It shows that we can be a pretty good team if we work at it.”

The recent surge, which includes wins over Philadelphia and Washington, the top teams in the division, has given the Islanders a four-point bulge on Pittsburgh and six on the Rangers in the battle for playoff spots.

Detroit 7, Washington 0--The Red Wings (11-34-5) have the league’s worst record, but on occasion they preform brilliantly. They scintillated in this one at Detroit.

Rookie goaltender Mark Laforest stopped 28 shots to record the Red Wings first shutout in 150 games.

Another Detroit rookie Chris Cichocki scored two goals to lead the assault on the Capitals, a team with the third-best record in the league. It was the Capitals’ second loss in the last six games.

The Red Wings’ last shutout was against Chicago, Feb. 18, 1984.

Pittsburgh 2, Philadelphia 2--A tie isn’t always too tough to take. In this game at Pittsburgh, it ended the Penguins’ seven-game losing streak.

The Flyers had played 49 games this season and 78 overall without playing a tie. They had to come from behind to earn this one. Dave Poulin scored early in the third period to get the Flyers even.

In overtime both teams had three shots on goal, but goaltenders Darren Jensen (Flyers) and Roberto Romano handled them easily.