NHL Roundup : Capitals End Islander Home Streak, 5-4

The Washington Capitals have never won a Stanley Cup playoff series from the New York Islanders, but the Capitals are hoping that this is the season that they break the streak.

The Capitals beat the Islanders for the first time at the Nassau Coliseum this season, 5-4, Tuesday night. The loss snapped the Islanders’ nine-game home unbeaten streak.

The Capitals have had trouble beating the Islanders--a record of only 12-40-5 in regular-season play and first-round losses in the Stanley Cup playoffs three years in a row. The season series is tied at 2-2.

The victory extended the Capitals’ lead over the Islanders to eight points in the battle for second place in the Patrick Division.

Hartford 5, Vancouver 4--Rookie Dean Evason scored with 10:07 remaining at Hartford as the Whalers ended a 10-game winless streak.

It was the first victory for the Whalers since Jan. 25, breaking a slump that saw them slide six points behind the rest of the Adams Division and three games below .500.

St. Louis 5, Detroit 0--Goalie Rick Wamsley recorded his first shutout with St. Louis and Doug Gilmour scored two goals in a fight-filled game at St. Louis.

Referee Bob Meyers called 129 minutes of penalties, including 72 in the second period. He called 46 minutes in penalties against the Blues--including Bruce Bell’s 10-minute misconduct and Normand Baron’s game misconduct. Detroit wing Lane Lambert also drew a misconduct penalty during the period, and Detroit’s Joe Kocur was ejected with 9:34 left.

Calgary 7, Boston 4--Dan Quinn scored two power play goals to lead the Flames at Calgary.

With the score tied, 3-3, Quinn took the puck off the end boards after a shot by Lanny McDonald and jammed it behind Boston goalie Doug Keans at 1:13.