NHL Roundup : Whalers Take Giant Step Toward First Title With a 5-3 Win Over Rangers

Dean Evason scored goals 85 seconds apart late in the game to give the Hartford Whalers a 5-3 victory Wednesday night over the Rangers at New York and move the Whalers a giant step closer to their first division title.

The Rangers, who still haven’t clinched a playoff spot, carried a 3-2 lead into the final period. But hustling Kevin Dineen scored his second goal of the hard-fought affair at 5:24 of the final period to tie it. Dineen has scored five goals against the Rangers this season on just seven shots.

The winning goal, which enabled the Whalers to increase their lead over Montreal in the Adams Division to seven points with just seven games remaining, came with 3:12 left in regulation.

Evason fired just after crossing the blue line. The puck appeared to handcuff goalie Bob Froese, skidded between his pads and into the net.

Shortly thereafter, Evason skated in alone and beat Froese with a back-hander from close range.

While Froese had his problems against the speedy Whalers, Mike Liut, in the net for Hartford, continued his sparkling play. He stopped 28 shots, 16 in the final period. Two of the Ranger goals were the fault of Whaler defensemen, who failed to clear the puck from the zone.

Unless Liut does a complete collapse, it seems certain the Whalers will win the Adams Division.

The Rangers, playing their sixth game in eight nights, appeared to be a little weary and slow. With eight games remaining, the Rangers are third in the Patrick Division. But, they are only one point ahead of Washington and three ahead of Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh 5, St. Louis 4--Dan Quinn knocked in a rebound with 3:36 left in regulation at Pittsburgh to breathe life in the Penguins playoff hopes.

With the victory the Penguins moved to within two points of the Washington Capitals in the battle for the final playoff berth in the Patrick Division. The Blues missed a chance to strengthen their hold on second place in the Norris Division.

Pittsburgh’s star Mario Lemieux scored his 52nd goal and added and assist to give him 100 points this season. He has reached that figure in each of his three seasons.

Chicago 6, Toronto 3--Denis Savard just about killed the Maple Leafs’ playoff hopes all by himself. Savard had three goals and an assist at Toronto, scoring twice in a five-goal first period.

The win put the Blackhawks six points ahead of the Maple Leafs in the battle for the final playoff spot in the Norris Division.

Winnipeg 4, New Jersey 3--A fluke goal by Brian Mullen just 40 seconds into overtime at Winnipeg gave the Jets the victory.

Mullen was trying to make a centering pass from behind the net. The puck hit goaltender Alain Chevrier’s stick and caromed into the net.