NHL ROUNDUP : Rangers Stop Tired Oilers, 5-2

Pokey Reddick has spent more time flying between Edmonton and Phoenix than he has playing goaltender for the Oilers this season.

After playing in the minors for more than two-thirds of the season, injuries to Grant Fuhr and Bill Ranford gave Reddick his first chance to start an NHL game Wednesday night at New York.

It wasn’t exactly a fair chance for Reddick, who played 41 games for Winnipeg last season. The Oilers were playing their sixth game in nine nights in a tough trip East.

Three of the previous five games went into overtime. The well-rested Rangers beat the weary Oilers, 5-2, but it wasn’t all that easy.

With Mark Messier getting both goals and Reddick doing an excellent job, the Oilers were in the game until the last 42 seconds. Then, they pulled Reddick in an attempt to get a tie and the Rangers got two empty net goals.

“I hate to get the job just because of injuries,” Reddick said. “But I know I can help the club.”

Ulf Dahlen’s power-play goal midway through the second period proved to be the game-winner.

Toronto 7, St. Louis 1--The Maple Leafs will be remembered for giving up Brett Hull’s 50th goal and for being a team that can handle the Blues.

When Hull joined his father, Bobby, in the elite class of 50 goal scorers Tuesday night at St. Louis, the Blues won, 6-4.

It is the only time in eight tries this season that the Blues have beaten the Maple Leafs.

In this game at Toronto, Lou Franceschetti had two goals and Al Iafrate had a goal and three assists to lead the rout.

Franceschetti and Iafrate scored four minutes apart in the second period to break it open.

Buffalo 3, Montreal 1--In the battle for second place in the Adams Division, the Sabres prevailed at Buffalo.

The Sabres had lost two consecutive 1-0 games, including one at Montreal Saturday night. The scoreless string ended at 11:08 of the first period when Phil Housley scored his 16th goal. The Sabres had been scoreless for 131 minutes.

The Sabres built a 3-0 lead before Mats Naslund scored for the Canadiens late in the second period on a power play.

Hartford 5, Minnesota 3--The Whalers showed why they are the best road team in the NHL.

Kevin Dineen and Pat Verbeek each scored twice to lead the Whalers to their 15th road win.

It was the fourth loss in a row for Minnesota.