NHL Roundup : Islanders Go Under for 3rd Time to Toronto, 4-3

There’s something about playing the Toronto Maple Leafs that brings out the worst in the New York Islanders.

Vincent Damphousse, threatened with demotion to the minors for poor play, scored his second goal of the game with 22 seconds remaining in regulation Thursday night, and the Leafs broke a six-game losing streak with a 4-3 victory over the Islanders at Toronto.

The Leafs have only 2 victories in 23 games and 16 wins in 57 games this season, but 3 have come against the Islanders.

“I don’t know what it is when we come in here,” said Denis Potvin, who led the Islanders with a goal and an assist. “We play like dogs.”

Damphousse, the Leafs’ top draft pick in 1986, may have avoided a trip to the minors with his two-goal, four-point effort.

Damphousse took a cross-ice pass from Miroslav Frycer, returning to the lineup after missing 25 games with a knee injury, and drilled a 30-foot slap shot past Kelly Hrudey for his eighth goal.

Washington 5, N.Y. Rangers 3--Mike Ridley, Dave Christian and Scott Stevens scored first-period goals as the Capitals beat the Rangers at New York to end a three-game losing streak.

Ridley scored 27 seconds into the game, backhanding a 20-footer past goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck. Christian scored his 27th goal at 14:06 when Washington had a two-man advantage, and Stevens scored with 23 seconds left in the first period.

New Jersey 4, Montreal 2--Andy Brickley scored two goals, and the Devils beat the Canadiens at East Rutherford, N.J., to end their three-game losing streak.

Brickley scored his second goal of the game, short-handed at 10:36 of the third, a little more than two minutes after the Canadiens’ apparent tying goal was negated by a delayed penalty.

Edmonton 7, Vancouver 2-- Kevin Lowe ignited a four-goal first period, and Mike Krushelnyski scored twice as the Oilers defeated the Canucks at Vancouver.

Vancouver has not won against Edmonton in 25 games dating back to March 10, 1985.

Wayne Gretzky had an assist and scored his 34th goal of the season.