NHL Roundup : Carbonneau Helps Canadiens Get Even

Guy Carbonneau, a defensive specialist, scored two goals Saturday night at Montreal to lead the Canadiens to a 3-1 victory that evened their best-of-seven playoff series with Hartford at a game apiece.

Before the series, the rugged center was considered the key to the Canadiens’ hope--if his line could stop the high-scoring Whaler threesome of Ron Francis, Kevin Dineen and John Anderson.

In the opening game Thursday night, the Carbonneau line held the Francis group to a single goal, but the Canadiens lost, 4-1.

In Game 2, Carbonneau went on the offensive. After Stephane Richer scored a power-play goal midway through the first period to get the Canadiens off in front, Carbonneau took charge.

Late in the same period, Carbonneau, who scored 20 goals during the regular season, knocked in the rebound of a shot by Chris Nilan. Then, six minutes into the second period, Carbonneau skated around Hartford defenseman Scott Kleinendorst and slipped the puck between the legs of goaltender Mike Liut.

Hartford managed only a power-play goal by Dineen in 24 shots at Patrick Roy.

Washington 8, New York Rangers 1--Ever since they blew a 3-1 lead in the series opener Thursday night on their home ice and lost, the Capitals had heard that the Rangers were a team of destiny.

The Capitals could hardly wait for the opening face-off of the second game, also at Landover, Md. From start to finish, the Capitals were in complete charge.

Alan Haworth led the Capitals’ blistering attack. He assisted on Mike Gartner’s goal that started the romp halfway through the first period. He also scored the third goal and finished with two goals and three assists.

“It doesn’t mean much,” Capital Coach Bryan Murray said. “After all, they wanted a split here and they got it. The Flyers blew them out one game, and the Rangers came back to win the series.”

Pete Peeters, who gave up only four goals in the three-game sweep of the Islanders, was back on his game after giving up four goals in the Ranger opener. He stopped 19 shots to earn his first win over the Rangers in five games.