NHL Roundup : Oilers Lose Again at Spectrum, 5-2

Dave Poulin deflected a shot into the net just 14 seconds after the opening faceoff Sunday night at Philadelphia to start the Flyers on their way to a 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

The Flyers, who were shut out on 42 shots Saturday night by Boston rookie Bill Ranford, scored three more times in the first period to turn the game into a rout. The Flyers are now 10-2 lifetime at the Spectrum against the powerful Oilers.

Brian Propp, Ed Hospodar (his first in 13 games this season) and Peter Zezel also scored in the first period to give the Flyers’ four goals on just eight shots, after going 0 for 42.

Wayne Gretzky tried to rally the Oilers, scoring his 23rd goal early in the second period to extend his scoring streak to 12 games.

Most of the game, though, the Oilers were at the mercy of rookie goalie Ron Hextall. Hextall bounced back from Saturday night when he was removed after Boston scored its fourth goal early in the last period. He turned aside 28 shots to improve his record to 16-4-2.

Boston 3, New York Islanders 1--As a player with the Bruins, Terry O’Reilly endeared himself to Boston fans with his battling, bruising style. As the new coach of the Bruins, he seems to be imbuing his spirit into his team.

With Doug Keans stopping 30 shots and Greg Johnston and Reed Larson scoring second period goals at Boston, the Bruins won their fourth in a row and moved into a tie for first place in the hot Adams Division race.

Since O’Reilly took over the Bruins are 7-3-2 and showing signs they may be the team to beat in the division.

“Superb, just superb,” O’Reilly said. “Everybody played great. I sat in the dressing room and listened before the game. They were all talking about being tied for first. I didn’t have to say much of anything.”

Vancouver 3, Winnipeg 1--Steve Tembellini and Patrik Sundstrom each scored on a power play at Winnipeg to lead the Canucks to only their fourth road victory.

The Jets, missing a chance to regain first place in the Smythe Division, extended their winless streak to four games. With the win the Canucks moved to within eight points of the fourth-place Kings.

St. Louis 5, Toronto 3--Rick Meagher scored on a penalty shot in the second period at St. Louis and scored again in the final period to lead the Blues.

The Blues, the only team in the Norris Division with a .500 record (11-11-4), took over sole possession of first place.

“I was more than a little nervous,” said the veteran center said after his first penalty shot. “All of a sudden I’m out there and 10,000 people are yelling. Right away I felt I should not mess around on the bad ice and fire away. I was just happy to make it.