NHL ROUNDUP : Winning Quickly Becoming Old Hat for Blues’ Rookies

With some of their rookies playing as if they were seasoned veterans, the St. Louis Blues are making a strong bid to win the Norris Division.

Rookie goalie Curtis Joseph stopped 33 shots Tuesday night at Landover, Md., and first-year center Rod Brind’Amour figured prominently in the scoring as the Blues beat the Washington Capitals, 4-1.

The Blues, who had a victory and a tie against second-place Chicago during the weekend, now have a five-point lead with eight games to play.

Joseph is 3-0-1 on the road this season.

The Blues gave him the offense he needed before the first period was half over. Brind’Amour took a high stick from Tim Bergland, which resulted in a five-minute penalty. Brind’Amour quickly scored his 25th goal. Then, after another Capital penalty gave the Blues a two-man advantage, Paul MacLean’s goal made the score 2-0.

“To tell you the truth,” Dino Ciccarelli, who scored the Washington goal, said of Joseph, “I never knew who the kid was before tonight. I was impressed. He played a great game.”

Edmonton 4, Quebec 1--The best way to end a slump is to play the Nordiques.

The Oilers, in danger of falling out of the race for first in the Smythe Division, ended their two-game losing streak at Quebec.

Glenn Anderson scored twice on power plays and had an assist as the Oilers moved to within four points of Calgary. In the last 15 games, Anderson has had nine power-play goals.

The Nordiques, long ago eliminated from the playoffs in a league in which all but five teams qualify, fell to 11-52-7.

Montreal 4, New York Islanders 2-- This loss at home extended the Islanders’ winless streak to 13 games (0-10-3).

Shane Corson scored twice and the Canadiens moved to within four points of second-place Buffalo in the Adams Division.

Detroit 3, Chicago 3--The tie at Chicago helped the Red Wings in their drive to gain the playoffs.

Dave Barr’s goal in the last minute of the second period gave the Red Wings the tie that moved them into a tie with Minnesota for fourth place.

New Jersey 3, Minnesota 1--Sean Burke ended his personal five-game losing streak, stopping 34 shots at Bloomington, Minn., to lead the Devils to their third victory in a row.

The Devils’ strengthened their hold on second place in the Patrick Division and moved to within six points of first place.

Hartford 1, Vancouver 0--Todd Krygier’s goal midway through the third period left the Canucks 12 points behind the Kings in the Smythe Division.