NHL Roundup : Islanders Stretch Unbeaten Streak to Seven Games With 1-1 Tie

Alan Kerr scored with 2:34 left in regulation Thursday night to give the New York Islanders a 1-1 tie with the Chicago Blackhawks at Uniondale, N.Y., stretching their unbeaten streak to seven games.

The Islanders, 4-0-3 during their streak, moved to within two points of the first-place Philadelphia Flyers in the Patrick Division.

After Chicago goalie Bob Mason stopped Ken Leiter’s blast from the blueline, Dale Henry’s shot also was turned away before Kerr knocked in his 20th goal of the season.

New York’s Gord Dineen, trying to clear the puck, accidentally sent a backhander past Islanders’ goalie Billy Smith at 7:43 of the third to break a scoreless tie. Troy Murray received credit for his 19th goal.

New York Rangers 2, Pittsburgh 1--Walt Poddubny and Ulf Dahlen combined for both goals as the Rangers won at New York to move within one point of the Penguins and New Jersey in the battle for the final playoff spot in the Patrick Division.

Poddubny scored his 35th goal of the season on an assist from Dahlen at 12:05 of the first period, and Dahlen made it 2-0 with his 22nd goal at 15:45 of the second period.

Randy Cunneyworth scored his 28th goal of the season at 11:22 of the final period for the Penguins, who have lost five straight games.

Boston 5, Hartford 2--Michael Thelven and Randy Burridge each scored two goals, and the Bruins beat the Whalers at Boston to get within one point of Adams Division-leader Montreal.

Thelven’s first goal, his fifth of the season, broke a 1-1 tie at 13:33 of the first period, and he made it 3-1 at 10:28 of the second period. Thelven also assisted on Boston’s first goal, scored by Bob Sweeney.

Buffalo 5, St. Louis 2--Rookie Ray Sheppard scored two power-play goals to lead the Sabres past the Blues at Buffalo.

Sheppard scored the first two goals of the game in the first period, increasing his total to 27, and the Sabres made it 3-0 on a goal by Mark Napier.