NHL Roundup : Capitals Defeat Flyers, 6-1, Near First Division Title

The Washington Capitals are on a roll that is about to carry them to their first division title.

With Geoff Courtnall and Dino Ciccarelli each scoring his 40th goal of the season, the Capitals routed the Philadelphia Flyers, 6-1, Friday night at Landover, Md.

Flyer goalie Ron Hextall, who missed seven games with a hamstring injury, lasted less than half the game. The Capitals were leading, 5-0, when Hextall struck Washington’s Bengt Gustaffson with his stick and was ejected.

Detroit 6, Toronto 2--Dave Barr and Joe Kocur scored 49 seconds apart in the second period at Detroit as the Red Wings dealt the Maple Leafs’ playoff hopes a blow.

In their fight to overtake Chicago for the only playoff spot still open----fourth place in the Norris Division----the Leafs are four points behind and have only four games left.

Buffalo 5, Vancouver 2--John Tucker and Ray Sheppard each had a goal and an assist to lead the Sabres to their first win over the Canucks on home ice in their last six games.

Winnipeg 4, Calgary 3--Randy Carlyle scored at 3:45 of overtime at Winnipeg to give the Jets the victory and prevent the Flames from breaking a tie with Montreal for the best record.