NHL Roundup : Islanders Close In on Title by Defeating Capitals, 7-3

Mikko Makela scored a goal and assisted on three others Thursday night at Uniondale, N.Y., to lead the New York Islanders to a 7-3 victory over Washington that all but clinched the Patrick Division title.

Consecutive wins over the challengers (Philadelphia fell Tuesday night), has left the Islanders needing only a point to clinch their first title since 1984. Thursday’s victory eliminated the Flyers, winners of the previous three Patrick titles. A win or a tie for the Islanders in the last two games, or a tie or a loss by Washington clinches it.

The night was dedicated to Islander defenseman Denis Potvin, who will end a brilliant 15-year career after the playoffs. But Makela and another old-timer, his linemate, Bryan Trottier, did most of the celebrating.

Trottier had his 30th goal and two assists and passed former Detroit star Alex Delvecchio to take eighth place on the all-time point list with 1,283.

Potvin is the all-time leader among defensemen in goals, points and assists. He and Trottier led the Islanders to four straight Stanley Cups at the start of the 1980s.

Less than two weeks ago, the Islanders were five points behind in third place, but their sixth win in a row has given them a four-point bulge and a virtual lock on the division.

New Jersey 7, Pittsburgh 2--In a league that leaves only five teams out of the playoffs, the Devils haven’t made the playoffs in a decade.

They may not make it this year, but, in this game at Pittsburgh, the Devils virtually made certain that scoring champion Mario Lemieux and his Penguins won’t.

Doug Sulliman scored twice in a four-goal final period that knocked the Penguins into the cellar. The consecutive wins over the Penguins put the Devils one point behind the New York Rangers in the battle for the final playoff spot in the Patrick Division.

The Rangers have 79 points, the Devils 78 and the Penguins 77. All have two games left.

Philadelphia 4, Quebec 4--Willie Huber’s last-period goal at Philadelphia gave the Flyers a tie, but they needed a victory to have a chance to win the Patrick Division.

Montreal 3, Boston 1--Kjell Dahlin scored the go-ahead goal midway through the final period at Boston as the Canadiens clinched the Adams Division title.