NHL Roundup : Islanders Capitalize on Capitals’ Defense

In the last three seasons, the Washington Capitals have established themselves as a defensive power in the National Hockey League. In each of those seasons, the Capitals earned more than 100 points despite a lack of scoring power.

Now, off to their usual slow start, the Capitals suddenly have little or no defense.

Their record fell to 5-7-1 Tuesday night at Uniondale, N.Y., when the aroused New York Islanders overwhelmed them, 7-1. In 13 games, the Capitals have given up 58 goals. Only two teams, the Kings and Chicago Blackhawks, have given up more.

Pat LaFontaine and Mike Bossy each scored twice to lead the Islanders to their third win in the last four games. Bossy, hampered earlier this season with a sore back, has scored five goals in the last three games.

The Islanders had only 27 shots against goaltender Pete Peeters, but most of the shots were on plays in which the shooter wound up with a big opening to shoot at. Much of the time, Peeters was left unprotected.

The Islanders scored three times in the first period and were breezing, 5-0, after two periods. Goaltender Kelly Hrudey lost his shutout when Mike Gartner scored on a long shot early in the third period.

Philadelphia 7, New Jersey 1--The Flyers are riding the brilliance of rookie goaltender Ron Hextall to the best record in the league. Hextall gave up a first-period goal in this game at Philadelphia, then blanked the Devils for the last 50 minutes as the Flyers skated to an easy victory.

The Flyers are 10-2, and Hextall has replaced Bob Froese, last season’s No.1 goalie for the Flyers. While Froese asks to be traded, Hextall has yielded only 19 goals in 10 games.

Tim Kerr scored twice on power plays against the Devils to give Hextall all the offense he needed and to help the Flyers to a two-point lead in the Patrick Division.

Winnipeg 6, Quebec 3--Defenseman Jim Kyte fired a 35-footer for his first goal of the season six minutes into the final period at Quebec to thwart a stirring rally by the Nordiques.

The Nordiques went into the last period trailing, 3-1, but Michel Goulet and Anton Stastny scored to make it an even game.

Kyte took a pass from Andrew McBain and fired the puck past goalie Clint Malarchuk to break the tie. Dale Hawerchuk’s second goal of the game put it out of reach later in the period.

Pittsburgh 2, Vancouver 2--After a fast start, the Penguins seem to be coming down to earth. In this game at Pittsburgh against the lowly Canucks, it took the 17th goal of the season by Mario Lemieux midway through the third period just to earn a tie.

The tie ended the Canucks’ four-game losing streak and extended the Penguins’ winless streak to four games. The Penguins, after winning eight of their first nine, are 8-3-2.