NHL ROUNDUP : It’s No Joke as Blackhawks Win, 3-1

Two years ago, the Norris Division was the joke of the National Hockey League. Even its best team had trouble playing .500 hockey.

There has been a turnaround and the division has earned respect.

The Chicago Blackhawks, in their second season under former Philadelphia Flyer coach Mike Keenan, are a prime example.

They were off to a poor start last season, but by the playoffs were the best team in the Norris division. They were no match for the Calgary Flames, who went on to win the Stanley Cup.

It would appear the Blackhawks are ready to play anybody now.

Denis Savard scored the tiebreaking goal late in the second period at Montreal and the streaking Blackhawks went on to win, 3-1.

It was the fourth win in a row for Chicago, which stretched its lead in the division to five points over Minnesota.

The Canadiens are winless in their last five games.

The Blackhawks outhit and outskated the Canadiens throughout.

Coach Pat Burns of the Canadiens was upset with their performance.

“You do the hitting and I’ll do the scoring--that seems to be the attitude on this club now,” he said. “You can’t be like that. Everybody has to do his job.”

Because of the injury to Alain Chevrier, the Blackhawks used 20-year-old Jimmy Waite in goal. In his ninth NHL start--but first this season--he stopped 25 shots for his first victory.

“It is an extra thrill to win the first one in this building,” Waite said.

Boston 4, Buffalo 2--After two shabby performances at home, the Bruins were glad to hit the road. They were so happy, they ended the Sabres’ home unbeaten streak at 12 games.

Defenseman Ray Bourque atoned for a rare error by scoring the tiebreaking goal late in the second period. Earlier, Bourque, a perennial all-star, made a blind clearing pass that Benoit Hogue of the Sabres picked off and scored to tie the game, 2-2.

Dave Christian, acquired earlier in the day from Washington for Bob Joyce, scored the final goal early in the third period.

Edmonton 5, Quebec 1--Newcomer Petr Klima scored midway through the first period at Edmonton to get the Oiler offense going.

The Oilers are unbeaten in their last nine games (7-0-2) and lead the Kings by three points in the Smythe Division.

Vancouver 3, Winnipeg 3--Paul Reinhart’s goal midway through the final period at Winnipeg enabled the Canucks to tie the Jets.

The Canucks appeared to score the winner with 2:34 left, but it was ruled the puck was kicked into the net.

St. Louis 3, New York Rangers 1--The Blues ended a 12-game winless streak at Madison Square Garden as Brett Hull and Adam Oates scored less than two minutes apart in the middle of the first period. It was the Blues’ first victory in the Garden since Feb. 15, 1981.

New Jersey 5, New York Islanders 2--Defenseman Tommy Albelin had a goal and two assists at East Rutherford, N.J., to lead the Devils to back-to-back victories over the Islanders.

Toronto 4, Detroit 2-- Ed Olczyk and Gary Leeman each had a goal and an assist at Detroit as the Maple Leafs skated to their fourth consecutive victory.