NHL Roundup : New Jersey Finds a Stopper, Beats Flyers, 4-2

The New Jersey Devils waited all season for the arrival of goaltender Sean Burke from the Canadian Olympic team, and they haven’t been disappointed.

Burke made 22 saves Sunday and won his second straight start as the Devils beat the Philadelphia Flyers, 4-2, at East Rutherford, N.J., to knock them out of first place in the Patrick Division.

“I’m always nervous, regardless of who we play, but it wasn’t as bad today as yesterday,” Burke said of his first start, a 7-6 overtime victory over the Bruins at Boston Garden. “I am starting to adjust and get my confidence.

“Philadelphia was my team while I was growing up--Bobby Clarke and the Broad Street Bullies. So it’s extra special to beat them.”

The victory was the 30th for the Devils this season, breaking the franchise record of 29 set last year and giving them 65 points, one more than their record set last season. New Jersey moved into fourth place in the Patrick Division, one point ahead of the idle New York Rangers.

New Jersey was trailing, 2-1, but scored three third-period goals, beginning at 2:43 when Mark Johnson fired a 15-footer past Ron Hextall. Craig Wolanin scored his sixth goal of the season to put the Devils ahead, 3-2.

Patrik Sundstrom got his second goal at 10:39 when he rushed the length of the ice and put the puck into the net while being pulled down by Peter Zezel.

Sundstrom opened the scoring at 1:58 of the opening period, but Philadelphia took the lead on goals by Murray Craven and Zezel in the second period.

Washington 7, Vancouver 2--Dave Christian scored twice, while Mike Gartner and Mike Ridley each added a goal and two assists as the Capitals downed the Canucks at Landover, Md., and took over the Patrick Division lead.

The victory was Washington’s fifth straight and 11th in its last 12 games, giving the Capitals 76 points to 75 for Philadelphia.

Vancouver has lost seven games in a row and is six points behind the Kings in the battle for the final playoff spot in the Smythe Division.

Gartner extended his consecutive game scoring streak to 11 games at 7:20 of the first period by scoring his 43rd goal. Kelly Miller made it 2-0 before the end of the first period.

Jim Sandlak brought the Canucks to within 2-1 with his first of two goals, but Christian and Yvon Corriveau scored 11 seconds apart to put the Capitals ahead, 4-1.

New York Islanders 2, Quebec 0--Denis Potvin and Brent Sutter each scored a goal and goaltender Kelly Hrudey earned his third shutout of the season by stopping 28 shots as the Islanders turned back the Nordiques at Quebec.

With the victory, the Islanders strengthened their hold on third place in the Patrick Division. They are three points behind Washington and two points behind Philadelphia, while Nordiques remain five points behind the Hartford Whalers, who currently hold the final playoff berth in the Adams Division.

Potvin opened the scoring at 17:59 of the first period, beating goaltender Mario Brunetta from close range, and Sutter scored at 7:03 of the second period.

Detroit 4, Chicago 3--Mel Bridgman scored what proved to be the game-winning goal midway through the third period and the Red Wings held off the Blackhawks at Chicago.

After Bridgman’s goal at 12:07 of the period made it 4-2, Chicago got close on Rick Vaive’s 39 goal, but goaltender Greg Stefan, back in the lineup after missing two months with a leg injury, held off the Blackhawks the rest of the way.

Buffalo 3, Boston 0--Phil Housley had a goal and an assist and Tom Barrasso stopped 32 shots and the Sabres defeated the Bruins at Buffalo.

Barrasso made 13 of his saves in the final period when the Bruins applied relentless pressure.