NHL Roundup : Calgary’s Defense Beats Detroit

Last season, the Calgary Flames scored the most goals and had the best record in the National Hockey League.

After Calgary was knocked out of the playoffs in the second round by the Edmonton Oilers, who went on to win another Stanley Cup, Flame officials decided the team was going about winning a championship in the wrong manner.

Defense, they decided, was the only way to go. And a much-improved defense has the Flames sporting the best record in the Campbell Conference.

Tuesday night at Detroit, Joey Mullen scored twice and goaltender Mike Vernon stopped 26 shots to lead the Flames to a 7-1 victory over the Red Wings.

Last season, the Flames gave up 305 goals in 80 games. When Joe Kocur scored in the second period to ruin Vernon’s bid for a shutout, it was only the 130th goal scored against the Flames in 46 games this season.

The big difference is that the Flames have reduced opponents’ shots on goal. Last season, their goalies faced an average of 30 shots per game, and this season, they have cut it to 25.

Mullen’s 29th goal gave the Flames an early lead, and they broke it open with 4 in the second period.

New York Islanders 5, Pittsburgh 2--Although Coach Al Arbour is committed to youth in a bid to bring the Islanders back, he isn’t about to overlook his old stalwarts.

Brent Sutter, who was just getting started when the Islanders were winning Stanley Cups, played a strong role in this victory at Uniondale, N.Y.

Sutter scored twice and assisted on David Volek’s go-ahead goal as the Islanders scored a rare victory over a contender.

It was a costly loss for the Penguins. Tom Barrasso, whose steady goaltending has been a key for the Penguins, suffered a groin injury and may be lost for several games.

Quebec 7, New Jersey 4--When the teams were at full strength at Quebec, the Devils played rather well. It was when they were working on a power play that the Devils were in trouble.

New Jersey was able to convert only 1 of 5 times, and Quebec scored 3 short-handed goals.

Marc Fortier, Gaetan Duchesne and Jeff Jackson each scored while killing a penalty, and the Nordiques ended a 9-game winless streak.

Vancouver 5, Philadelphia 3--Dan Hodgson’s goal at 8:52 of the third period broke a tie and Petri Skriko scored into an empty net as the Canucks beat the Flyers at Vancouver, Canada.