NHL Roundup : Surprising Penguins Rally to Top Rangers in OT, 6-5

It’s pretty obvious that sports in Pittsburgh are in a terrible state when the city’s one hope for a successful season is the Penguins.

At one time known as the “City of Champions”, it is becoming a city of losers. The Pirates had the worst record in the major leagues this season. And the once powerful Steelers are off to a 1-4 start.

Although the Penguins play in a league in which all but five teams qualify for the playoffs, they have missed postseason play five years in a row. There is optimism this will be a big year.

So far, so good. Defenseman Doug Bodger, more noted for his defensive play, blasted a 50-footer for his 10th goal in three seasons 50 seconds into overtime Saturday night at Pittsburgh to give the Penguins a 6-5 victory over the New York Rangers. It was the Penguins’ second win in a row in the new season.

Pittsburgh fans are excited about the way the Penguins have won. On Thursday night, they spotted the powerful Washington Capitals a 3-0 lead, then charged back to win. In this one, they trailed, 4-2, going into the final period.

The Penguins scored three times in the first seven minutes to take the lead, but Mark Osborne sent the game into overtime with a goal at 11:49.

It was the second loss in a row for the Rangers, whose goalie, John Vanbiesbrouck, has yielded 11 goals in two games.

Edmonton 5, Montreal 4--Wayne Gretzky didn’t think it would be a good idea for the Oilers to open the season with two defeats, so he took charge of the offense at Montreal.

During regulation he had an assist and two goals and, with just 11 seconds left in overtime, slipped a pass to Jari Kurri for the game-winner.

It was the second loss in a row for the Stanley Cup champions, who had fought back for a tie with two goals in the third period.

Philadelphia 6, Washington 1--Bob Froese, the best goaltender in the league last season, may never get off the bench. Rookie Ron Hextall, who had a hot training camp, is 2-0 and playing brilliantly.

Hextall stopped 28 shots to spoil the Capitals’ home opener. In two games, Hextall has stopped 48 of 50 shots.

Tim Kerr scored two of the four first-period goals that gave Hextall a big working margin.

Hartford 6, Calgary 5--Defenseman Joel Quinneville scored a short-handed goal with 20 seconds remaining at Hartford to climax a brilliant Whalers rally.

The Flames had built a 5-2 lead early in the third period.

Toronto 5, Buffalo 5--Wendel Clark scored four goals at Toronto, including the only goal of the third period, but all it got for the Maple Leafs was a tie.

New Jersey 5, Boston 4--John MacLean and Peter McNab scored early in the final period at East Rutherford, N.J., and the Devils hung on to win their second in a row.

MacLean broke a 3-3 tie with a 20-foot off-balance shot that rookie goalie Bill Ranford couldn’t handle.

Vancouver 4, St. Louis 3--Barry Pederson, Stan Smyl and Petri Skriko scored third-period goals at Vancouver as the Canucks rallied to win

Detroit 4, Chicago 3--Steve Yzerman scored on a power play at 6:33 of the final period at Detroit to give the Red Wings their first victory under new Coach Jacques Demers.

Quebec 4, Minnesota 4--Dale Hunter had a hand in all four goals for the Nordiques at Quebec, assisting on two and scoring the other two.

Hunter set up Michel Goulet for a goal with 6:44 left in regulation to send the game into overtime.