NHL Roundup : Sabres Put Stop to Rangers’ 7-Game Win Streak, 6-4

It was blue Wednesday for the New York Rangers.

After defenseman David Shaw was given a 12-game suspension earlier in the day for slashing Pittsburgh’s Mario Lemieux Sunday night, the Rangers’ winning streak came to an abrupt halt in the evening.

Veteran center Adam Creighton had a 3-goal hat trick at Buffalo to lead the Sabres to a 6-4 victory that ended the Rangers’ 7-game winning streak.

Creighton had 2 of his goals and an assist in a 4-goal Buffalo outburst in 8 minutes early in the second period that gave the Sabres the impetus for the victory.

“I’m sure the shock of the long suspension had an affect on our morale,” Coach Michel Bergeron said. “We were hoping that Shaw’s suspension would be half what it was. Mark Messier (of Edmonton) used the same retaliation defense and got only 6.”

Shaw slashed the Penguins’ ace after Lemieux cross-checked Shaw Saturday night.

Goalie Daren Puppa of the Sabres was hit in the sternum and had to leave with nearly 8 minutes left in the second period. Tom Barrasso replaced him and stopped 19 of 20 shots.

Boston 7, Toronto 2--By ending a 2-game winless streak with this easy win at Toronto, the Bruins (5-0-3) are now the hottest team in the league.

The Bruins, who played consecutive ties with Buffalo last week, are 8-2-3, and their 19 points are tops in the NHL.

Keith Crowder and Cam Neely each scored twice as the Bruins handed the Maple Leafs their third loss in 5 home games.

Edmonton 5, St. Louis 4--Glenn Anderson broke out of a slump with 2 goals at Edmonton, including the game-winner with 3:29 left.

The Blues’ Greg Pawlowski tied the score at 4-4 with a goal early in the final period.

The win enabled the Oilers to tie the Kings for second place in the Smythe Division.