NHL Roundup : Potvin Sets Record in 7-4 Islander Win

Denis Potvin set a National Hockey League record for career assists by a defenseman, and the New York Islanders scored three times in the first 6:04 of the third period to beat the Washington Capitals, 7-4, Thursday night at Uniondale, N.Y.

The Islanders became the last NHL team to collect a point this season after losing their first two games. It was, however, the Islanders’ seventh straight win in home openers.

Potvin assisted on Bryan Trottier’s power-play goal at 8:39 of the first period, giving him 684 career assists, one more than the record he shared with Brad Park.

The 32-year-old Potvin, who already holds league records for goals and points by a defenseman, took a shot from the right point, but Washington goalie Pete Peeters made the save. Trottier knocked in the rebound.

Mikko Makela scored to give New York a 5-3 lead just 54 seconds into the third period, and Rich Kromm scored twice in the next five minutes.

Philadelphia 6, Vancouver 2--Tim Kerr and Brian Propp scored two goals each, and the Flyers won their third game without a loss by beating the Canucks at Philadelphia.

Propp gave the Flyers a 3-1 lead when he took a pass from Kerr in front of the Vancouver goal and beat goaltender Richard Brodeur at 2:05 of the second period.

The Flyers increased their lead to 4-1 when Kerr fired a 12-foot wrist shot past Brodeur at 17:26. Ron Sutter deflected a shot past Brodeur 22 seconds later.

Boston 5, Minnesota 3--Rick Middleton scored one goal and assisted on another as the Bruins spoiled the North Stars’ home opener at Bloomington, Minn.

Dino Ciccarelli scored a pair of goals as Minnesota took a 3-1 lead in the first period. But Greg Johnston and Cam Neely scored second-period goals to get the Bruins even, and Mike Milbury scored on an assist from Middleton at 11:49 of the period to put Boston ahead.

Middleton scored Boston’s final goal at 3:41 of the final period.

Quebec 4, Calgary 2--Mario Gosselin made 34 saves in his first start of the season, and the Nordiques turned back the Flames in their home opener at Calgary.

Gosselin made fine saves against Joey Mullen and Jim Peplinski in the third period to protect Quebec’s lead.

Anton Stastny had a goal and two assists for the Nordiques.

Hartford 4, Winnipeg 4--Stewart Gavin scored at 12:24 of the third period to lift the Whalers into a tie with the Jets at Hartford.

Neither team had a good scoring opportunity in overtime.