NHL Roundup : Penguins Win, but Lemieux Has Only an Assist

The Pittsburgh Penguins remain in the battle for the Patrick Division title, but two coveted goals seem to be slipping away from their best player, Mario Lemieux.

With only an assist against the Boston Bruins Sunday at Boston, he has just four points in the last four games and his hopes of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record for goals (92) and points (215) are fading. He needs 37 goals and 76 points in just 27 games just to tie.

Although Lemieux was held in check, the Penguins, behind Rob Brown’s three goals, defeated the Bruins, 5-2, at Boston Sunday.

The hat trick for Brown, a second-year wing on the line centered by Lemieux, gave him 41 for the season. The first, which gave the Penguins a 3-1 lead late in the second period, was a fluke.

In a 2-1 game, Boston goalie Andy Moog thought referee Denis Morel had called a penalty on Pittsburgh. Brown thought so, too. He skated in to touch the puck and thinking play would stop, knocked the puck in the direction of the Boston goal 70 feet away. It went into the net and Morel ruled it was good.

Even Pittsburgh Coach Gene Ubriaco thought a penalty had been called. “Morel pointed, then waved it off,” Ubriaco said.

The Penguins tied the score less than a minute earlier when Bruin Ken Linseman’s clearing pass hit a teammate and caromed into the net.

The Bruins dominated much of the game, outshooting the Penguins, 45-19, but the Penguins converted three of six power-play chances to get the victory.

Lemieux assisted on Brown’s second goal early in the third period.

Detroit 6, Winnipeg 2--Steve Yzerman is making a run at Lemieux for the goal-scoring title. The Red Wings’ center scored twice to reach 50 and lead his team to an easy victory at Winnipeg.

The Jets, playing without their star, Dale Hawerchuk, who has a fractured jaw, have won only three of their last 14.

Philadelphia 3, Washington 1--The Capitals had 13 shots on goal on three power-play opportunities in the second period at Landover, Md., and when they couldn’t get one past goaltender Ron Hextall their hopes seemed to sink.

Hextall, who gave up five goals on 31 shots against Pittsburgh Thursday night, stopped 30 shots, 27 of them after giving up an early goal when John Druce’s shot hit the Flyers’ Dave Poulin and bounced into the net.

New Jersey 4, Edmonton 2--The charging Devils, with Kirk Muller scoring twice and assisting on another, extended their unbeaten streak on the road to five games.

The surprising loss prevented the Oilers from re-taking second place in the Smythe Division from the Kings.

Minnesota 5, New York Rangers 3--Brian Bellows and Marc Habscheid scored power-play goals 87 seconds apart in the third period at New York to hand the Rangers a shocking defeat.

The failure to get a point prevented the Rangers from taking sole possession of first place in the Patrick Division.

New York Islanders 3, Quebec 2--Tom Fitzgerald’s first NHL goal 7 minutes into the last period gave the Islanders just their fifth win in 25 road games.

Calgary 5, Vancouver 4--Hakan Loob scored his 19th goal with just 1:35 left in regulation at Calgary to give the Flames a hard-fought victory.

The Flames, who improved the best record in the league to 37-11-8, led, 4-2, but Trevor Linden and Steve Bozek scored to tie the game.

St. Louis 5, Chicago 4-- The Blues blew a 2-goal lead in the third period at Chicago, then fought back to win on Brett Hull’s 23rd goal 3 minutes after the Blackhawks forged the tie.

Greg Paslawski scored twice and assisted on another to lead the Blues’ offense.