NHL Roundup : Smith Wastes No Time Getting Started With Sabres

Doug Smith, obtained from the Kings just two days ago, made an auspicious debut with the Buffalo Sabres Friday night at Buffalo.

Just 13 seconds after the opening face-off, Smith fired a 25-footer past goaltender Glen Hanlon to start the Sabres on their way to a 5-3 victory over the New York Rangers.

Smith, involved in the trade that sent defenseman Larry Playfair to the Kings, also had an assist as the Sabres ended a four-game losing streak.

Smith, a 22-year-old center, was the second player taken in the 1981 draft of amateur players. He was a disappointment to the Kings, and the Kings were a disappointment to him. For two years, he has been asking to be traded.

He let the Sabres know immediately that he was happy to be on their team.

As long as Smith delivers, he will stay happy.

But Scotty Bowman, the Sabre general manager who has returned to coaching, is a taskmaster. He is aloof, and he also is adept at keeping his players hungry. If they aren’t hungry, he will quickly ship them out, usually to the minors.

Bowman selected former defensive star Jim Schoenfeld to take over as coach before this season began. When Schoenfeld was 19-19-5 in his first 43 games, Bowman was dissatisfied and took up the coaching reins for the fourth time.

The Sabres responded by winning their first three games under Bowman, then lost four in a row. So they are back at .500 (23-23-5) but still in last place in the tough Adams Division.

Before the Sabres get out of the cellar, they may wear out Tom Barrasso. The 20-year-old goaltender is in his third NHL season and already is rated among the best.

Barrasso, starting for the 27th time in the last 33 games, held the Rangers to one goal through the first 50 minutes as his mates piled up a 5-1 lead.

In the closing minutes, the Sabres relaxed, and the Rangers, who were getting almost a shot on goal per minute in the last period, scored twice to make it close.

“I won’t wear out,” Barrasso said. “In fact, the more I play, the better I play. “

St. Louis 6, Detroit 4--Bernie Federko scored two goals and assisted on one at St. Louis as the Blues moved above .500 again (21-20-7).

The Red Wings built a 3-1 lead in the first period, but their defense, the weakest in the NHL, betrayed them. The Blues scored five times on 13 shots in the last 30 minutes, and held Detroit to just seven shots in the last 40 minutes.

The Red Wings (11-35-5) have given up 272 goals in 50 games.

Detroit center Steve Yzerman suffered a broken collarbone and will be out at least six weeks.

Edmonton 7, Calgary 4--Until Wayne Gretzky came along, the record for assists in a season was 89 by Bobby Orr in 1974-75. Except for his first season, when he had 86, Gretzky has exceeded 100 every season.

In this game at Edmonton, Gretzky had four assists and reached 100 earlier than ever before. He has 101 in just 52 games. He seems certain to break his record of 135 in 80 games.

One of the assists against the Flames came on a goal by Glenn Anderson halfway through the final period. The goal gave the Oilers a 5-3 lead and was Anderson’s second goal of the game and 37th of the season.

The win stretched Edmonton’s lead in the Smythe Division to 26 points over the Flames.

Vancouver 10, Minnesota 5--Tony Tanti and Stan Smyl each scored twice in a free-scoring game at Vancouver, and the Canucks moved into third place in the Smythe Division. Minnesota has lost four of its last five games.