NHL Roundup : Kerr Keys Resurgent Flyers, 6-2

When he has been healthy in his nine-year career in the National Hockey League, Tim Kerr has been the key to the Philadelphia Flyers’ offense.

He has had five operations on his right shoulder. Last season, he played in only eight games to end a string of four seasons when he scored at least 54 goals in each.

An aching shoulder forced him out for five games recentl as the Flyers tumbled below .500 and were in danger of missing the playoffs.

Kerr is back and has turned the Flyers into winners again. He had two goals and an assist Friday night at East Rutherford, N.J., to lead the Flyers to a 6-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils.

The Flyers’ third victory in a row strengthened their hold on fourth place, the final playoff spot in the Patrick Division.

Before Kerr returned, it appeared that the Devils had a chance to take over fourth place. New Jersey now trails Philadelphia by 13 points with only 18 games to play.

In the last three games, Kerr has six goals and four points. He has 39 goals this season.

The Devils have lost five straight games. If they are going to make the playoffs for the second time in a row, they may have to do better than last season, when they finished 7-0-1.

Buffalo 5, Winnipeg 4--Dave Andreychuk scored a goal and assisted on two others at Buffalo to extend the Sabres’ winning streak to a season-high five games.

The Sabres built a 5-1 lead, then had to hang on to outlast the determined Jets, who cut the lead to a goal with more than 14 minutes left.

Calgary 4, St. Louis 3--The Flames jumped to a 2-0 lead at Calgary, then needed a goal by defenseman Jamie Macoun in the third period to win.

Despite losing to Toronto in their previous home game, the Flames have won 10 of their last 12 games and have the best record in the league, 43-13-8.

The Blues have lost six in a row and are tied for third place in the Norris Division.