NHL Roundup : Rangers Defeat Devils, 2-1, Move Into Fourth Place

Just a couple of weeks ago, the New York Rangers’ chances of making the Stanley Cup playoffs didn’t look good. They were in last place in the Patrick Division, seven points out of fourth place--the last spot for a playoff berth.

The best way to move up is to beat the teams just ahead of you. The Rangers have done that lately.

Norm MacIver scored on a rising 45-foot slapshot to snap a second-period tie at East Rutherford, N.J. to lead the Rangers to a 2-1 victory Friday night over the New Jersey Devils.

The Rangers, who beat Pittsburgh Thursday night, vaulted over the Devils and Penguins into fourth place.

The Rangers, who have 60 points to 59 for the Devils and the Penguins, rode to victory behind another fine goaltending performance by John Vanbiesbrouck. Vanbiesbrouck, who stopped 28 shots in a 2-1 win Thursday night, stopped 33 in this one.

“These are major victories for us,” Vanbiesbrouck said. “These points against the Penguins and Devils mean so much. We can now start thinking about making the playoffs.

“The effort these guys have been putting out is something else. The checking line (Don Maloney, Lucien DeBlois and Jan Erixon) has been sensational. They stopped Mario Lemieux last night and throttled the New Jersey offense tonight.”

Quebec 3, Detroit 2--The Red Wings appeared ready to roll at Detroit when they scored on their first two shots against rookie goaltender Mario Brunetta.

But Brunetta stopped the next 27 shots, and the Nordiques handed the Red Wings their third straight defeat.

Michel Goulet took a pass from Peter Stastny and broke the 2-2 tie in the second period with his 35th goal.

The Red Wings failed to score in the last 52 minutes, and Brunetta won just his third game.

Calgary 5, Vancouver 3--Rookie Joe Nieuwendyk scored his 44th goal in this game at Vancouver and helped the Flames regain first place in the Smythe Division.

Veteran John Tonelli had a goal and three assists for the Flames, whose 36-20-7 record is the best in the NHL and one point ahead of Edmonton.