Stanley Cup Playoffs : Jets Put an End to Oilers’ Streak With 6-4 Win

After losing two tough games in Edmonton, Coach Dan Maloney of the Winnipeg Jets predicted that when his team returned home it would put an end to the Oilers’ domination of the playoffs.

Maloney proved to be a prophet, and the Oilers’ string of 16 consecutive victories over the Jets came to an abrupt end Saturday night at Winnipeg, Canada.

The Jets, after blowing a 3-0 lead, took the lead for good on Ray Neufeld’s power-play goal in the second period and went on to score a 6-4 victory. The win cut the Oilers’ lead in the best-of-seven series to 2-1 with the fourth game tonight at Winnipeg.

“I felt we were good enough to beat that team,” Maloney said. “I think I convinced the players. Even after the Oilers stormed back to wipe out the lead, we never lost hope.

“Remember, one of their wins came when the puck bounced off Craig Simpson’s hip to break a 2-2 tie.”

It is surprising the Jets didn’t lose their poise because of the manner in which the Oilers tied the score Saturday.

For 24 minutes the Jets dominated thoroughly and led, 3-0. But, in quick succession in the second period, Normand Lacombe and Simpson scored to cut the lead to 3-2. Then, with the Jets working on a two-man advantage on a power play, Mark Messier stole the puck, went on a breakaway and tied the score.

“This team showed it’s heart,” Maloney said. “We earned the victory.”

Neufeld’s goal came a minute after Messier’s short-handed score, and Randy Gilhen made a short-handed goal five minutes later to put the Jets in command.

The victory was especially enjoyable for Dale Hawerchuk, the Jets star center. He had played in every one of those 16 defeats.

“It feels good to beat them in a close game,” Hawerchuk said. “It seems like we just kept losing those close ones.

“This victory puts us right back in the series. We have to win tonight and then, if we can win one in Edmonton, we can do it.”

The Oilers didn’t seem to be too worried.

“Sooner or later they had to beat us,” Wayne Gretzky said.

The Oiler star is trying to shake off the flu.

New Jersey 3, New York Islanders 0--Just in case there were any doubts, the Devils and rookie goaltender Sean Burke are for real.

Burke, playing in only his third playoff game, turned in a spectacular performance at East Rutherford, N. J., and the Devils took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

No fewer than 20 of the 31 saves by Burke were difficult ones. Many came early in the game when the Devils appeared to be fighting off the jitters.

When they did start playing, the Devils got two goals from Mark Johnson and, behind Burke, stymied the playoff-tested Islanders at every turn.

“That shutout is great,” Burke said, “because it shows a total team effort. The win is what’s important. We know we can win it.”

Detroit 6, Toronto 3--The Maple Leafs, after winning the opener of their series with the Red Wings, have come tumbling to earth.

Petr Klima and Jim Nill each scored twice at Toronto as the Red Wings took a 2-1 lead and regained the home ice advantage.

Klima scored in the closing seconds of the second period on a penalty shot. It was the first ever for the Red Wings in the playoffs and one of the few awarded in Stanley Cup competition.

Montreal 4, Hartford 3--The Canadiens moved within one victory of a sweep at Hartford, Conn., but lost two players in the process.

Craig Ludwig, Mike McPhee and Ryan Walter scored within 4:19 in the second period. Later, center Mats Naslund injured his knee and defenseman Petr Svoboda suffered a concussion. Both are doubtful for tonight’s fourth and possible final game.

Philadelphia 4, Washington 3--Kjell Samuelsson scored what proved to be the winning goal in the second period at Landover, Md., to give the Flyers a 2-1 lead in the hard-fought series.

Buffalo 6, Boston 2--John Tucker erupted for four goals at Buffalo, including one on a penalty shot, and the Sabres avoided being swept out of the playoffs.

Tucker had only one shot on goal in the first two games of the series.

Tucker’s flurry ended Boston goalie Andy Moog’s string of seven wins in a row in playoffs.

Chicago 6, St. Louis 3--Dennis Savard had his third playoff hat trick at Chicago, and the Blackhawks scored their first victory in the series with the Blues after two defeats.

It was the first playoff win for the Blackhawks since 1985.