NHL ROUNDUP : Lemieux’s Streak at 42; Penguins Lose, 8-4

A quarter of a century ago the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs were the most powerful teams in the NHL.

While the Canadiens have remained contenders, the Maple Leafs have fallen on lean days. They haven’t won a Stanley Cup since 1967 and haven’t won more games than they lost in a season in 11 years.

In a little over a month, however, the Maple Leafs have turned things around. The Leafs have suddenly become a force again--a team capable of beating anyone.

Although they couldn’t stop the streaking Mario Lemieux, the Maple Leafs overwhelmed the Pittsburgh Penguins, 8-4, Saturday night at Toronto to move within four points of Norris Division-leading Chicago.

It was the Leafs’ 28th victory--more than they won all last season--and left them four games above .500.

Lemieux, playing despite an aching back, had a goal and an assist to extend his point-scoring streak to 42 games. He is steadily moving in on Wayne Gretzky’s record of 51 games in a row.

The Leafs, not noted for outstanding defensive play, kept Lemieux away from the puck most of the night.

They had built a 5-1 lead before Penguin defenseman Paul Coffey gave Lemieux a breakaway pass and he scored his 40th goal before the last period was a minute old.

Vince Damphousse led the Toronto attack, getting two goals and two assists.

For more than 40 years the Maple Leaf Gardens sold out. The string ended a couple of years ago. It’s a sure sign the Maple Leafs are back because sellouts are once again becoming automatic.

Montreal 1, Buffalo 0--The Canadiens are nearly at full strength for the first time all season and are playing as if they intend to become contenders.

Stephane Richer put a backhand shot between the pads of goalie Clint Malarchuk in the second period at Montreal and Patrick Roy stopped 30 shots.

St. Louis 4, Detroit 2--Brett Hull is slowly getting recognition as a fit son for the immortal Bobby Hull. He’s also keeping the Blues on the move.

Hull scored twice at St. Louis to run his league-leading goals total to 49 and lead the Blues to victory. It was the 12th time Hull has scored two or more goals in a game.

New York Rangers 2, Boston 1--Consistency is not a trademark of the Rangers. They started the season as the hottest team in the NHL.

It lasted about a month. They went into a slump and it lasted long enough for the Rangers to go from first to last in the Patrick Division.

A win on Jan. 13 at Boston turned things around again. Since then they have lost only one game. Brian Mullen, who has mirrored the Ranger season, scored the winning goal four minutes into the final period at Boston.

It was Mullen’s 17th goal and seventh in the last 10 games. After drawing a delayed penalty when flattened by the Bruins’ Greg Hawgood, Mullen got up and scored to break the 1-1 tie.

Philadelphia 7, Minnesota 6--After blowing a three-goal lead in the third period at Philadelphia, the Flyers won when Mike Bullard scored his 23rd goal with just nine seconds left in overtime.

Dave Gagner of the North Stars forced the overtime when he scored with just four seconds remaining in regulation. The North Stars fired 52 shots at goalie Ken Wreggett.

Hartford 5, Quebec 1--The Whalers, with five different players scoring in the first two periods at Quebec, coasted to an easy victory.