NHL ROUNDUP : Penguins End One Slump and Extend Another

It figured that either the Pittsburgh Penguins or the New York Rangers would end their slump Wednesday night at Pittsburgh.

Mario Lemieux, coming on strong after a slow start this season, made sure it was the Penguins.

Lemieux had two goals and three assists in the Penguins’ 7-4 victory. He extended his scoring streak to 26 games and improved his goals total to 24.

The Penguins had lost four of their previous five games, including a 6-3 loss to Washington Tuesday night.

The loss extended the skidding Rangers’ winless streak to nine games (0-6-3). When the slump started, the Rangers were leading the Patrick Division. They are now in fourth place, though only a point out of first place.

“Mario was sharp tonight,” Penguin Coach Craig Patrick said. “I think it was a reflection of the whole team. Everybody was sharp.”

Despite his streak, Lemieux and the Penguins have lacked consistency.

“I think this game is going to help me and everybody,” Lemieux said. “We have to realize we all have to play 60 minutes.”

Washington 3, New Jersey 1--If the Capitals ever start playing as well at home as they do on the road, they will dominate the Patrick Division.

Goalie Don Beaupre turned in a sparkling performance at East Rutherford, N.J., and the Capitals won for the eighth time in the last 11 games away from home.

“I do know Don has given us great goaltending,” Coach Bryan Murray said, “but I really don’t know why we play so well on the road.”

Toronto 7, Detroit 7--In a wild, rough brawl at Toronto, the Red Wings outfought the Maple Leafs in the last period to overcome a four-goal deficit.

The Maple Leafs dominated the first two periods and led, 7-3. But before the period was a minute old, Jimmy Carson scored the first of his three power-play goals. There were still almost eight minutes remaining in regulation when Carson’s last goal, his 10th of the season, tied the score.

In the overtime, Coach Jacques Demers of the Red Wings and Coach Doug Carpenter of the Maple Leafs, had words and nearly wound up fighting.

Edmonton 2, Philadelphia 1--Goaltender Bill Ranford continues to make up for the loss off Grant Fuhr, and the Oilers keep playing well.

Ranford shut out the Flyers for 54 minutes at Edmonton and won his third in a row since Fuhr went out with a shoulder injury.

Vancouver 2, Montreal 1--The Canucks ended a five-game winless string when they built a 2-0 lead and held on to beat the Canadiens at Vancouver.

The Canucks had not won since Dec. 12, but in three of the five winless games they tied.