NHL Roundup : Muller, Devils Surprise Penguins, 8-6

For one game, at least, Kirk Muller outplayed Mario Lemieux. It happened Wednesday night at Pittsburgh, where the New Jersey Devils won, 8-6, handing the Penguins their first loss at home this season.

In 1984, Lemieux and Muller were the two best junior hockey players in Canada. Lemieux was the No. 1 pick, by Pittsburgh, and Muller was No. 2, by New Jersey.

Lemieux, in his third season, has developed into one of the NHL’s best players, but Muller has been somewhat of a disappointment. While Lemieux scored 91 goals in his first two seasons, Muller had only 42.

This season, Lemieux has been the hottest player in the league. But he didn’t measure up to Muller in this game.

The Penguins, surprise leaders of the tough Patrick Division, were expecting to improve their home record to 7-0. Instead, Muller and his mates left them frustrated.

Muller had three goals and three assists, while Lemieux had one goal, his 15th of the season, and two assists. However, Lemieux, with his team trying to rally from two goals down late in the game, took out his frustration on a Devil and was in the penalty box when needed most.

Muller’s three goals were spectacular ones. Two of them came when he deflected blistering blasts from the point into the net. On the other, Muller, near the side of the net, controlled the puck with his skate, kicking it into the air and batting the puck into the net.

Although the Devil goalie, Alain Chevrier, gave up six goals (five on power plays), he had some sparkling moments in the nets as he stopped 40 shots.

Montreal 5, Buffalo 2--The Sabres are off to the worst start in their 17-year history (1-7-2), and there are rumors that General Manager and Coach Scotty Bowman is in trouble.

Mats Naslund led the Canadien attack in this game at Montreal with a goal and two assists. All seven of Naslund’s goals this season have been at Montreal’s Forum.

Detroit 5, Chicago 2--John Ogrodnick, bothered by an ankle sprain all season, scored his first two goals of the season in this game at Detroit.

The victory put the Red Wings (4-4-1) at the .500 mark for the first time in four years after the opening game of the season. Last year, they tied their opener, but it was the only time they were .500.

Winnipeg 6, Calgary 2--Brian Mullen scored two goals and set up another in a five-goal first period at Winnipeg, and the Jets went on to hand the Flames (3-7) their fourth defeat in a row.

St. Louis 7, New York Rangers 2--Mark Hunter scored twice, and Doug Wickenheiser had a short-handed goal at St. Louis as the Blues ended the Rangers’ five-game unbeaten string.

Edmonton 6, Washington 3--Paul Coffey broke out of a scoring slump with two goals and three assists at Edmonton to lead the Oilers to their seventh victory in 11 games.

Wayne Gretzky scored his ninth goal and had an assist for the Oilers.