NHL Roundup : Sevigny’s Goaltending Helps Quebec End Losing Streak

A spectacular performance by goaltender Richard Sevigny Friday night at Buffalo enabled the Quebec Nordiques to beat the Sabres, 6-2, and end a five-game losing streak.

The team’s No. 3 goalie stopped 35 shots and was instrumental in moving the Nordiques to within two points of Montreal in the tight battle for first place in the Adams Division.

With Clint Malarchuk, the Nordiques’ top goalie injured, Sevigny steps in when Mario Gosselin needs a break.

It was only the eighth game this season for Sevigny, who had a 4.19 goals-against average going into the game. He stopped 35 shots, 14 of them in the second period. The Nordiques had a 3-0 lead before Sevigny gave up a goal halfway through the second period.

In their seventh meeting this season, it was the first time the visiting team won.

Peter Stastny sparked the Quebec offense, scoring his 34th goal and assisting on two others.

Sevigny was severely tested because the Nordiques played without three injured defenseman. Two defensemen brought up as replacements, Daniel Poudrier and Jeff Brown, each scored their first NHL goals.

New York Islanders 6, Winnipeg 3--In danger of falling out of third place in the Patrick Division, the Islanders turned to a couple of oldtimers, Denis Potvin and Billy Smith, in this game at Winnipeg.

Potvin scored two goals and set up another, while Smith stopped 27 shots in a sparkling performance that enabled New York to move three points ahead of fourth-place Pittsburgh.

The Jets scored twice in the second period, but Smith made 16 saves in 20 minutes, several of them on shots from close range.

Toronto 7, Detroit 3--Walt Poddubny had a hat trick and goaltender Don Edwards made 39 saves at Detroit.

The victory gave the Maple Leafs almost a stranglehold on the final playoff spot in the Norris Division. They lead the Red Wings by 15 points.

The Leafs have won three out of four, the Red Wings have lost nine in a row.

Vancouver 3, Philadelphia 1--Steve Tambellini scored two goals and set up the third at Vancouver as the Canucks scored their first victory over the Flyers in more than two years.

It was the Canucks first victory since Feb. 7, snapping a nine-game winless streak. The Flyers, who lost their second in a row, had not lost to Vancouver since Feb. 12, 1984.