NHL Roundup : Flames, Off to Hot Start, Beat Flyers, 5-4

The Calgary Flames had the biggest team and scored the most goals in the National Hockey League last season. When they posted the best overall record in the league, they thought they also had the best team.

But Wayne Gretzky and the Edmonton Oilers had their minds set on another Stanley Cup. They swept aside the Flames, 4-0, in the second round of the playoffs on their way to a fourth championship in 5 seasons.

Probably more than any other team--except for the Kings, of course--the Flames rejoiced when Gretzky was traded. They figure they are the team to beat.

The Flames are playing that way, too. Off to the best start in their history, the Flames improved to 5-1-2 with a stirring comeback Sunday night at Philadelphia.

Hakan Loob scored with 81 seconds left in regulation to tie the Flyers and with time running out in overtime, Jim Peplinski scored to give the Flames a 5-4 victory.

Calgary dominated most of the night, but Rick Tocchet made the big plays that kept the Flyers even or ahead. He had a hand in all their scoring with 2 goals and 2 assists.

He set up Peter Zezel for a shot that caromed off the post into the net behind goaltender Rick Wamsley in the first minute of the last period to give the Flyers a 4-3 lead.

Loob, picking up a loose puck late in the period, flipped a 15-foot shot over goalie Ron Hextall’s shoulder. There were only 37 seconds left in the 5-minute extra period when Peplinski fired a 30-footer past Hextall. It was the Flames’ 41st shot on goal.

New York Rangers 8, Quebec 2--Guy Lafleur continues to prove that 4 years is not too long a layoff for a great player. The smooth-skating former Canadien contributed a goal and an assist to the victory at New York.

Lafleur has scored in each of the last 3 games and the Rangers (5-2-1) have taken over first place in the tough Patrick Division. They have won 4 in a row.

Winnipeg 3, Washington 2--The struggling Jets found a team with more problems than they have in this game at Winnipeg.

The Jets scored 3 times in the second period and held on for just their second win in 7 games. The Capitals are 2-6.

Detroit 3, New Jersey 3--The Red Wings, off to a disappointing start, needed 2 power-play goals from Paul MacLean to earn a tie with the Devils at Detroit.

It was the fourth overtime game for the Red Wings, who are 2-3-2 in the early going.

Vancouver 6, Edmonton 5--Greg Adams’ goal early in the third period helped the Canucks hold off a furious Edmonton comeback at Vancouver.

The Canucks led 6-2 in the third period before the Oilers scored three straight goals. The Canucks got goals from six different players, including the eventual clinching score by Adams.