HOCKEY STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS : Jets Win and Lead Series, 3-1

The underdogs have taken charge of the Stanley Cup playoffs in the Smythe Division.

Although the Kings romped to their third victory in four games against the defending Stanley Cup champion Calgary Flames, the Jets had to go into a second overtime to beat Edmonton, 4-3, at Winnipeg. Like the Kings, the Jets lead the best-of-seven series, 3-1.

Defenseman Dave Ellett blasted a 45-foot shot past goaltender Billy Ranford on a power play 68 seconds into the second overtime and put the Oilers on the verge of being eliminated in the first round for the second season in a row.

After Esa Tikkanen scored the Oilers’ third goal to tie the score with 35 seconds left in the second period, the goaltenders, Ranford and Stephane Beauregard, took charge.

Beauregard replaced Bob Essena, who had to leave at 7:04 of the second period when he was injured after being bowled over by Edmonton’s Glenn Anderson.

The rookie played brilliantly the rest of the way.

The Oilers, determined to win on the road and even the series, jumped in front when Petr Klima scored his second goal of the series two minutes after the opening faceoff.

It was the start of a wild first period. Winnipeg scored the next three goals, with Dale Hawerchuk assisting on the first two. Steve Smith of the Oilers added a short-handed goal at 18:01, his first goal in the playoffs.

Before Ellett’s game-winning shot, Edmonton’s Reijo Ruotsalainen drew a penalty for pulling down the Jets’ Thomas Steen.

Steen won the ensuing faceoff and sent the puck to Ellett, whose shot beat Ranford.

The Jets missed winning the game in regulation when center Brent Ashton, alone in front of the net, fired the puck into Ranford’s pads.

Minnesota 4, Chicago 0--Except for the second game of the series, goaltender Jon Casey has been sensational for the North Stars.

Casey stopped 29 shots at Bloomington, Minn., for his first playoff shutout and the North Stars evened the best-of-seven series, 2-2.

Don Barber scored twice. His first goal before the game was 5 minutes old gave Casey all the offense he needed. On a power play, Barber scored again near the 12-minute mark of the first period.

For the second time in the series, Chicago Coach Mike Keenan pulled goaltender Greg Millen in favor of Ed Belfour. The first time, in Game 2, the Blackhawks rallied to win.

Meanwhile, Casey has given up only eight goals in the four games.

Casey registered the first Stanley Cup shutout for the North Stars since Gilles Meloche did it in 1985. The Blackhawks have been shut out only twice since 1980.

The two teams resume the series at Chicago Thursday night.

Toronto 4, St. Louis 2--Gary Leeman scored a goal and assisted on another to lead the Maple Leafs at Toronto.

The Blues lead the series, 3-1.

Faced with elimination, the Leafs played a strong defensive game in front of goalie Jeff Reese. The Blues, who averaged 37 shots in the first three games, had only 22 shots.

“We’ve still got nothing to lose,” Reese said. “There’s really no pressure on us. They still have to win a fourth game.”

Blues Coach Brian Sutter was frustrated with his team’s play.

“Give the Leafs credit for what they did,” he said. “But we never played anywhere near what we are capable of playing.”