Stanley Cup Playoffs : Maple Leafs Beat Red Wings and Prove a Point

Much of the pre-Stanley Cup talk concerned the Toronto Maple Leafs, who made the playoffs with only 21 victories in 80 games.

It was pointed out that the Maple Leafs had only 52 points, while the New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins, with 82 and 81 points, respectively, could only watch on television.

Maybe, the Maple Leafs were just sandbagging, waiting for the second (the real?) season.

Gary Leeman scored two power-play goals Wednesday night at Detroit, and the surprising Maple Leafs toyed with the Norris Division champion Red Wings, skating to a 6-2 victory in the opener of the best-of-seven, first-round playoff series.

The Red Wings finished the equivalent of 20 1/2 games ahead of Toronto during the regular season. But the Maple Leafs had slipped into the playoffs on the strength of a 5-3 victory over Detroit Saturday at Toronto. The win ended a nine-game losing streak.

Allan Bester, one of the few bright spots of the Toronto season, was spectacular in goal. He stopped 25 shots and improved his career record against Detroit to 11-4-3. He is sure to be in the nets for Game 2 tonight at Detroit.

Leeman opened the scoring at 4:38 of the first period. With Ed Olczyk, the Maple Leafs’ one real star, getting a goal and three assists, Toronto remained in command throughout.

It was the Maple Leafs’ first win on Detroit ice this season. Last Friday, the Red Wings skated to an easy 7-1 victory over Toronto at Joe Louis Arena. This time, they were no match for the fired-up Maple Leafs.

New York Islanders 4, New Jersey 3--The league’s Cinderella team didn’t exactly disgrace itself in its first Stanley Cup game.

But Pat LaFontaine scored on a backhander at 6:11 of overtime at Uniondale, N.Y., to end a rugged, hard-fought battle.

It was the first playoff game for rookie goalie Sean Burke, and he acquitted himself well. Burke, the netminder for the Canadian Olympic team, had posted a 10-1 record to lead the Devils’ stretch drive into the playoffs.

Burke faced 33 shots. He had no chance on the winning goal. His view was blocked by a tangle of players, and LaFontaine slipped the puck between Burke’s legs for his second goal of the game.

The Devils fought back from a 3-1 deficit in the third period. Dave Maley and Craig Wolanin brought them even in the last period.

It was the Islanders’ 23rd victory in 30 overtime games in playoff competition.

Philadelphia 4, Washington 2--When the Flyers could get no better than a tie in the season finale with the Capitals, they lost home-ice advantage for the playoffs.

In the opener at Landover, Md., the Flyers regained the advantage. Dave Poulin snapped a 2-2 tie with a power-play goal halfway through the final period. Then, when the Capitals pulled their goalie in an attempt to draw even, Murray Craven iced it with 18 seconds left.

Goalie Ron Hextall stopped 35 shots for the Flyers. He also was hit with a misconduct penalty after slamming his stick to the ice when Dale Hunter tied the score early in the final period for the Capitals.

Montreal 4, Hartford 3--The Canadiens outplayed the Whalers at Montreal, but it took a low, 40-foot slap shot by Stephane Richer midway through the final period to give Montreal the edge.

The winning goal came off goaltender Rich Brodeur, who replaced Mike Liut after the Whalers’ No. 1 goalie strained his right arm while making a save in the second period.

St. Louis 4, Chicago 1--Rookie Brett Hull, son of Bobby Hull, scored twice at St. Louis, and goaltender Greg Millen stopped 25 shots to lead the Blues to an opening victory.

Brett’s father had been a star for the Blackhawks in their glory years.

Gino Cavallini opened the scoring at 12:52 of a fight-filled first period when he scored on a power play. The Blues dominated until about four minutes remained, when Troy Murray ruined Millen’s shutout bid.

Boston 7, Buffalo 3--Steve Kasper and Gord Kluzak scored short-handed goals just 57 seconds apart in the second period at Boston.

The two quick shots broke the hearts of the Sabres, but not the fighting spirit. After the Bruins built a 6-2 lead, the game deteriorated into a brawl.

The Bruins had lost eight consecutive playoff games.

Edmonton 7, Winnipeg 4--The Oilers didn’t exactly open their defense of the Stanley Cup with a bang at Edmonton.

Most of the night, they were clawing from behind against the tough Jets.

But Glenn Anderson and Craig Simpson scored 10 seconds apart in the third period to break the game open. Anderson had a hat trick as the Oilers scored six times in the last period.

The Jets, despite their spirited effort, are 0-15 in playoff competition against the Oilers.

Mark Messier assisted on all three Anderson goals in the third period.