NHL Roundup : Buffalo’s Barrasso Hot, Shuts Out St. Louis, 3-0

Tom Barrasso is on a roll. The classy goaltender of the Buffalo Sabres emerged from a two-year slump last month and right now is playing about as well as he ever did.

After winning player of the month honors in January, Barrasso has continued to sparkle. Before his skid that found him spending time in the minors, he was generally accepted as the best goalie in the National Hockey League.

Now a youthful five-year veteran, Barrasso is out to regain lost honors. He took another giant step Tuesday night.

Barrasso stopped 25 shots at St. Louis as the Sabres skated to a 3-0 victory. It was his 12th shutout, but first this season. In the last 20 games in which Barrasso has been the goalie, the Sabres are 14-5-1.

Barrasso was at his best in the six situations in which the Blues were on a power play.

Midway through the first period Roy Sheppard gave Barrasso the lead he needed. Mark Napier and Calle Johansson each scored in the second period and Barrasso coasted to his shutout.

“Tom Barrasso is a world class goaltender,” Buffalo Coach Ted Sator said. “What people don’t seem to understand is that he is just 22. Wait until he’s been around a little longer and they will see just how good he will become.”

New York Islanders 9, Calgary 3--The road gets longer and longer for the Flames. In this, the sixth of 11 consecutive games away from the Saddledome, the Flames were overmatched at Uniondale, N. Y.

Greg Gilbert had a hat trick and Pat LaFontaine had two power-play goals. The Flames, who have lost four times on the trip, played well on offense, but veteran goalie Billy Smith thwarted them with some brilliant saves.

Brent Hull gave the Flames an early lead, but the Islanders scored the next five goals and they went on to take second place in the Patrick Division, just three points out of first place.

Because of the Winter Olympics, the Flames will not play at home again until March 3.

Winnipeg 7, Quebec 3--Not so long ago three teams, the Kings, the Jets and the Canucks were battling for the last two playoff spots in the Smythe Division.

The Jets have gone on a streak and eliminated their competition for the third spot.

In this game at Quebec Dave Ellett and Dale Hawerchuk each had a goal and an assist as the Jets extended their unbeaten string to seven games.