NHL Roundup : Capitals Alone in First After Beating Jets, 6-3

There is only one divisional race left in the National Hockey League, but it is a wild one.

Michael Pivonka and Mike Ridley each had a goal and two assists in a four-goal first period that led the Washington Capitals to a 6-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets Tuesday night at Landover, Md., and into sole possession of first place in the Patrick Division.

The Capitals are two points ahead of the New York Rangers and three ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins. All three have nine games left.

The Capitals seem to have the advantage. They do not play the Rangers, and have one game against the Penguins at Pittsburgh. The Rangers and Penguins play each other twice.

Geoff Courtnall remained hot, scoring twice for the Capitals. He has scored a career-high 37 goals.

Boston 8, Pittsburgh 2--At Pittsburgh, the league’s hottest goalie, Reggie Lemelin, stopped everyone except Mario Lemieux to prevent the Penguins from moving into second place in the Patrick Division.

Lemieux’s two goals gave him 72 goals and 181 points with nine games remaining in his bid to break Wayne Gretzky’s records of 92 goals and 215 points.

“Until a month ago I thought I would break them, “Lemieux said. “But defenses get tough in the last quarter. I have a bigger appreciation of what Gretzky accomplished.”

Ken Linseman scored three goals, and the Bruins had a 4-0 lead before Lemieux scored in the second period.

Lemelin is 9-0-2 in the last 11 games.

St. Louis 3, Chicago 2--The Blues took a stride toward a playoff berth by coming from behind at St. Louis.

There was only 2:12 left in regulation when Gino Cavallini bounced a quick wrist shot off goaltender Alain Chevrier’s pads to break a 2-2 tie. The Blues, who had only 10 shots in the first 40 minutes, tied the game on Gaston Gingras’ power-play score earlier in the third period.

The Blues, with nine games remaining, are second in the Norris Division with 64 points. Minnesota has 61, Chicago 58 and Toronto 56.

Hartford 8, New York Islanders 2--John Anderson scored twice in the opening five minutes at Hartford, Conn., and the Whalers romped.

Calgary 5, New Jersey 1--The Flames, upset over losing to the Rangers Monday night, assured the Rangers and Washington of playoff spots with the victory at East Rutherford, N.J.

The Devils, with only slim hopes of making the playoffs, can’t catch the top two teams in the Patrick Division.

Toronto 5, Minnesota 3--The Maple Leafs blew a 3-0 lead at Bloomington, Minn., then won when Gary Leemans scored halfway through the third period to break a 3-3 tie.

The victory improved the Maple Leafs’ hopes of making the playoffs, pulling them two within two points of fourth-place Chicago.

Vancouver 2, Detroit 2--Jim Sandlak tipped in a shot during a third-period power play to give the Canucks a tie at Vancouver.