NHL ROUNDUP : Erixon Takes Offense for the Rangers

Jan Erixon, a veteran from Sweden, is a key to the New York Rangers’ defense. As one of the finest right wings in the NHL, Erixon always shadows the opposing team’s best scorer.

Erixon, in eight seasons with the Rangers, has never scored more than eight goals in a season. When he participates in the offense, it’s usually in a defensive battle.

Erixon scored a goal and set up the other two in the first period Friday night at East Rutherford, N.J., and the Rangers held on to beat the New Jersey Devils, 3-2.

Erixon scored his third goal of the season before the game was five minutes old. He assisted on scores by Ron Turcotte and James Patrick to make it a quick 3-0.

Buffalo 7, Vancouver 1--Rookie Donald Audetter and Dave Andreychuk each scored twice as the Sabres won at home. Buffalo had control throughout, and goaltender Clint Malarchuk (4-2-1) faced only 16 shots. Malarchuk assisted on the Sabres’ fifth goal in the second period.

Winnipeg 5, Hartford 4--The Whalers scored as many goals at Winnipeg as they scored in their previous four games but still lost.

The Jets built a 5-1 lead in the first 26 minutes and barely held off a spirited rally by the Whalers, who are winless in their last eight games.