NHL Roundup : Islanders Hand Canucks Eighth Straight Loss, 7-4

Brent Sutter’s goal 24 seconds into the game ignited a four-goal first period, and rookie Derek King scored twice as the New York Islanders handed the Vancouver Canucks their eighth straight defeat, 7-4, Tuesday night at Uniondale, N.Y.

The Canucks, losers of 11 of their last 12 road games, are 1-10-1 in their last 12 games at Nassau Coliseum. The victory lifted the Islanders into a second-place tie with the Philadelphia Flyers in the Patrick Division, one point behind the Washington Capitals.

Sutter knocked the rebound of Alan Kerr’s shot past goalie Frank Caprice to begin New York’s first-period assault.

A brawl at the end of the second period, during which five players were ejected, gave the Islanders a 5-on-3 skating advantage for the first two minutes of the final period. Vancouver killed the penalty, only to see Mikko Makela score five seconds later.

Defenseman Jeff Norton, a member of the U.S. Olympic team, got his first National Hockey League point with an assist on Makela’s goal.

New York Rangers 7, New Jersey 4--Jan Erixon’s goal 1:28 into the game triggered a three-goal first period that carried the Rangers over the Devils at New York.

Sean Burke, Canada’s No. 1 goalie during the Winter Olympics, made his fourth start for the Devils. He made only one save and gave way to Alain Chevrier after Marcel Dionne scored at 6:25 of the first period. Burke is 2-1.

Detroit 2, Boston 0--Glen Hanlon turned away 24 shots to record his fourth shutout of the season as the Red Wings won at Detroit.

Lee Norwood and Shawn Burr scored Detroit’s two goals as the Red Wings ran their unbeaten streak to five games. The Bruins are 1-5 in their last six road games.

Quebec 6, Hartford 4--Marc Fortier, who has spent most of the season in the American Hockey League, scored the first two goals of his NHL career, and Jeff Jackson scored twice in a span of 2:12 early in the second period, leading the Nordiques past the Whalers at Quebec.

The Nordiques, who are battling the Whalers for the final playoff spot in the Adams Division, moved within three points of Hartford.

St. Louis 3, Toronto 2--At St. Louis, Doug Gilmour’s power-play goal at 6:27 of the third period was the difference as the Blues handed the Maple Leafs their fifth consecutive loss.