NHL ROUNDUP : Chicago, St. Louis Keep on Rolling

As recently as last season, the Norris Division was considered the weakest division in the NHL.

It is no longer true. In fact, two of the teams, Chicago and St. Louis, apparently are as good as any. Both are on winning streaks.

Steve Thomas had a hat trick in the second period at Quebec Saturday night and the Blackhawks, leading the division, handed the Nordiques their 13th consecutive defeat, 7-2.

Chicago is on a 5-0-2 surge and leads the Blues, who have won six in a row, by three points.

The Blackhawks had a 1-0 lead before Thomas broke the game open with his three goals.

St. Louis 3, Minnesota 2--A brilliant performance by goalie Curtis Joseph at Bloomington, Minn., compensated for the failure of Brett Hull to get a point.

Hull, who has 19 goals, had an 11-game scoring streak snapped.

Joseph stopped 34 shots and the Blues had goals from Paul Cavallini and Bob Bassen less than two minutes apart in the first period.

Hartford 4, Washington 2--Doug Crossman and Kevin Dineen scored 25 seconds apart in the first period at Hartford, Conn., to lead the Whalers to their fourth consecutive victory.

Ten days ago, the Capitals were flying high, but now they have lost five in a row.

Boston 1, Montreal 1--After being blanked by Andy Moog for 105 minutes this season, the Canadiens finally solved him and earned a tie at Boston.

Mark Pederson’s goal got Montreal even at 5:27 of the third period after John Carter scored for the Bruins in the first period.

New Jersey 3, Philadelphia 2--Although Flyer goalie Pete Peeters protested, referee Kerry Fraser ruled that Bruce Driver’s shot on a power play crossed the goal line for the winning score in the third period at East Rutherford, N.J.

Detroit 8, Toronto 4--Steve Yzerman had a hat trick in the first 12 minutes at Toronto, then assisted on two other goals to lead the Red Wings’ romp.

Buffalo 3, Calgary 3--Mikko Makela scored with a little more than five minutes left in regulation at Calgary to get the Sabres the tie.