NHL ROUNDUP : Penguins Counter Loss With a Win

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been hearing for several days that with Mario Lemieux lost probably for the rest of the season, they figure to fall into the Patrick Division cellar.

In their first game since Lemieux left for Los Angeles and a month of therapy, the Penguins gave no sign they intend to fold.

John Cullen and defenseman Paul Coffey took up the slack and led the Penguins to a 6-4 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers Tuesday night at Pittsburgh.

Cullen had three goals and Coffey had four assists as the Penguins rallied to pull within one point of the division-leading New York teams, the Islanders and the Rangers. They are five points ahead of the Flyers, who are tied for last place.

There is some hope that if the Penguins are one of the four teams in the division to qualify for postseason play, Lemieux will rejoin them. Lemieux, suffering from a herniated disk, will not undergo surgery at this time. He will undergo therapy and treatment under spine specialist Dr. Robert Watkins.

Although Cullen scored twice in the middle of the first period, Philadelphia led, 3-2, before Coffey set up Tony Tanti and Kevin Stevens for goals that put Pittsburgh ahead to stay late in the second period.

The Penguins, who beat the New York Rangers in overtime Wednesday night when Lemieux’s scoring streak ended at 46 consecutive games, are 2-1-1 since Lemieux went out. He played only briefly in that game before the pain was too much.

“We’re not going to moan about the loss of Mario,” Coffey said. “We all have to play a little harder and we will do all right.

“We have 19 games left and, I figure if we can win 10 of them we will make the playoffs. We’ll miss Mario, but we are still a capable team.”

Coach Paul Holmgren of the Flyers said he thought the Penguins played a more solid game without Lemieux.

Chicago 8, St. Louis 3--It was a big night at St. Louis for another Lemieux, Jocelyn (no relation).

Lemieux, a former No. 1 draft pick of the Blues, had his first NHL hat trick as the Blackhawks took a four-point lead over the Blues in the Norris Division. He scored only 19 goals previously.

The Blues, with a chance to move into a tie for the lead, led, 2-1, after a period. But Lemieux scored his eighth goal of the season 17 seconds after the faceoff. He scored again at 4:14 and the rout was underway. At 6:30 Lemieux completed his hat trick and Chicago led, 4-2.

Goaltender Jacques Cloutier had to face only 17 shots in winning his 16th game and stretching the Blackhawks’ lead to four points.

Buffalo 4, Winnipeg 3--Mike Hartman scored at 2:06 of overtime for the Sabres at Winnipeg.

The Jets, unbeaten in their previous six home games, led, 3-2, until Scott Arniel tied the game midway through the third period.

Edmonton 4, Vancouver 2--The Oilers regained first place in the Smythe Division with this victory at Vancouver. With 72 points, the Oilers lead Calgary by a point.

Boston 5, Calgary 3--Wes Walz, in his second NHL game, had his first goal and assist at Calgary as the Bruins knocked the Flames out of the lead.

The win improved the Bruins to 36-21-5, best in the league and kept them three points ahead of Buffalo in the Adams Division.