NHL Roundup : Canadiens Win When Goal Isn’t a Goal

Brian Hayward stopped 39 shots but when he missed one, he got some help.

Gaetan Duchesne’s shot with one second remaining landed in the net behind Hayward, but referee Don Koharski ruled that Nordiques defenseman Paul Gillis interfered with Hayward and the Montreal Canadiens escaped with a 2-1 victory Monday night at Quebec.

“As the puck was shot, I got slashed by two guys,” Hayward said. “I’m not sure which one prevented me from sliding across. Koharski was gutsy enough to call it.”

Bobby Smith and Ryan Walter scored for the Canadiens, who won their sixth straight game and increased their Adams Division lead to three points over Boston.

Quebec remained three points behind Hartford in the race for the final playoff spot in the Adams Division.

Montreal Coach Jean Perron said the Canadiens informed Koharski earlier in the game about Gillis’ interference with Hayward.

Gillis was surprised Koharski refused the goal.

“As far as I’m concerned, I didn’t even touch him,” Gillis said. “It happened in the heat of the action and we’ll have to take a look at the video.

“I had my stick up trying to deflect the shot, and when the puck went in and I saw Koharski waving his arm at me, I thought he was giving me the goal.”

Michel Goulet scored for Quebec.

New York Rangers 5, St. Louis 2--Tomas Sandstrom and Kelly Kisio each scored two goals, and the Rangers continued their dominance of the Blues at New York.

The Rangers swept the three-game season series with St. Louis, which is 3-39-4 at Madison Square Garden in its 21 years of existence.

The Rangers moved into fourth place in the Patrick Division, one point ahead of New Jersey and three ahead of Pittsburgh in the battle for the final playoff spot in their division.

The game marked the NHL debut of U.S. Olympian Brian Leetch, who had for the Rangers.