NHL Roundup : Winnipeg Defeats the Islanders, 3-1

The Winnipeg Jets, a big flop last season, appear ready to make amends and challenge the Edmonton Oilers for the Smythe Division title.

Ray Neufeld scored out of a scramble in front of the net with a little over three minutes remaining Sunday night at Winnipeg to break a 1-1 tie and lead the Jets to a 3-1 victory over the New York Islanders.

Their third victory in a row enabled the Jets to remain tied for first place with the Oilers. The Jets (11-6-1) have played two fewer games than the Oilers.

When the Jets, a strong young team, won 43 games and earned 96 points in the 1984-85, it was predicted they would become one of the top teams in the league.

But, the Jets were off slowly last season and wound up 37 points worse than they had been the previous season.

Under the theory that the Jets lacked toughness, the Jets hired Dan Maloney as coach. As a player with the Kings, Maloney was one of the strongest, toughest players in the league.

So far, at least, the Jets have exhibited some of Maloney’s toughness.

After Mike Bossy’s 10th goal brought the Islanders even, 1-1, at 12:13 of the final period, the Jets put tremendous pressure on goalie Billy Smith and it finally paid off for Neufeld’s goal.

“These guys had a tough season last year,” Maloney said. “They’re out to prove they can play consistent hockey, like they did two years ago when they were fourth overall.

“I like the discipline they have been showing. They don’t panic when the going gets tough.”

Edmonton 8, New York Rangers 6--The Oilers, after falling behind, 5-1, in the first 25 minutes at New York, resorted to their old wide-open style to end a two-game losing streak.

The Oilers, after winning two Stanley Cups by scoring goals in clusters, tried to tighten up their defense last year and wound up getting knocked out of the playoffs.

The Oilers pulled even by scoring four goals in a span of 4:37 in the middle of the second period. Wayne Gretzky, with his 15th goal and an assist sparked the rally.

They wrapped up the victory with goals 19 seconds apart by Mike Krushelnyski and Glenn Anderson.

Philadelphia 6, Washington 2--Peter Zezel and Lindsay Carson scored before the game was two minutes old and the Flyers easily continued their Spectrum mastery of the Capitals.

The Flyers have beaten the Capitals seven times in a row at Philadelphia. The last time the Capitals (7-9-3) won at the Spectrum was April 1, 1984.

Toronto 7, Chicago 3--Gary Leeman, more noted for his defensive play, had a hat trick in two periods at Chicago and goaltender Ken Wregget took it from there.

The Blackhawks fired 47 shots at Wregget, but he stopped 44 of them and enabled the Maple Leafs to stretch their lead in the Norris Division to five points.