NHL ROUNDUP : Lemieux, Penguins Slap Oilers

The way Mario Lemieux keeps building his point-scoring streak, it’s hard to believe he is suffering excruciating back pain.

Lemieux had three goals and an assist at Pittsburgh Friday night to lead the Penguins out of last place in the Patrick Division with a 6-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

Although he has been fitted for a brace and is undergoing treatment, Lemieux has stretched the second-longest scoring streak in NHL history to 41 games. The league record is 51 by Wayne Gretzky.

“It is getting worse,” Lemieux said. “It’s bad every day. But the team needs me. As long as I can stand it, I’ll play.

“I’m going to try the brace in practice and maybe, I’ll wear it in games. I’m willing to try anything.”

New York Islanders 5, Washington 3--The Islanders’ goal was to win this one at Uniondale, N.Y. and leave for their four-game trip in first place in the Patrick.

Pat LaFontaine and Doug Crossman scored 71 seconds apart in the first period to give the Islanders the lead they never relinquished. The Islanders are in first place in the division by two points over New Jersey.

Detroit 5, Toronto 2--Joe Kocur scored a goal and assisted on two others at Detroit to lead the Red Wings to their third win in a row.

Kocur, better known for his fighting ability than his scoring prowess, broke a 2-2 tie with his 12th goal.

Winnipeg 8, Vancouver 1--The Canucks played the Jets on even terms for 26 minutes at Winnipeg, then were overwhelmed.

The Jets scored twice in three minutes in the second period, then turned it into a rout in the third period.

Rookie goalie Stephane Beauregard stopped 29 shots for his second win.