NHL Roundup : Capitals, Still on Tear, Shut Down Oilers

The Washington Capitals have been consistent for most of this decade. They start out each season poorly, make a move in midseason and wind up as a good hockey team.

So far, the Capitals have been true to form. They won only 4 of their first 14 games and fell into the Patrick Division cellar. But now that the season is past its midpoint, they are a team on the move.

Friday night, rookie John Druce scored the go-ahead goal in the second period to lead the Capitals to a 5-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers at Landover, Md., and stretch their unbeaten streak to 9 games.

Dale Hunter and Mike Millar also scored in the second period to help lift the Capitals into first place in the Patrick Division.

New York Islanders 5, New Jersey 3--Rookie Rob DiMaio, called up from the minors just a few days ago, scored his first goal midway through the third period at East Rutherford, N.J., to break a 3-3 tie.

Winnipeg 3, Vancouver 1--Pat Elynuik scored the tie-breaking goal 5 minutes into the third period, and Thomas Steen added another goal as the Jets ended a 6-game road winless string.