NHL ROUNDUP : Late Burst Fuels Rangers by Bruins

Brian Leetch and Mike Gartner scored 45 seconds apart in the third period Saturday night at Boston to give the New York Rangers a 5-4 victory in the battle of the division leaders.

The goal by Leetch, which put the Rangers ahead to stay, 4-3, at 6:22, was a fluke. His long shot ricocheted off both Bruin defensemen, Garry Galley and Don Sweeney, then bounced into the net.

The goal by Gartner, his 15th, came on a power play. Galley’s third goal of the season came with more than 10 minutes left, but the Bruins couldn’t get the tie.

The Bruins, except for the 45-second flurry, dominated the game, holding a 37-20 edge in shots.

Quebec 4, Buffalo 2--The Nordiques had a taste of victory Wednesday and they enjoyed it.

After ending their winless streak with a 4-3 victory against Hartford, they made it two in a row at home.

Low-scoring defenseman Bryan Fogarty had the first three-goal game of his career and the Nordiques, who tied the Kings earlier in the week, are unbeaten in their last three games.

Calgary 5, Montreal 3--After the Canadiens took a 2-0 lead at Montreal, Brian McLellan scored in the final minute of both the first and second periods and the Flames scored five consecutive goals.

Washington 3, New York Islanders 1--It was a good night for visiting teams. The Capitals’ Bob Joyce scored with 1:53 left in regulation at Uniondale, N.Y., to break a 1-1 tie. Teammate John Druce scored into an empty net with 33 seconds to play as the Islanders’ winless streak reached five games (0-3-2).

Detroit 4, Chicago 3--When the Blackhawks and Blues were off to fast starts this season, they left the Red Wings far behind.

The Red Wings are closing the gap. In this game at Detroit, the Red Wings took a 4-0 lead in 26 minutes, then barely held on for their fifth victory in a row. From 13 points out of first in the Norris Division, the Red Wings have climbed to seven points out.

New Jersey 4, St. Louis 1--John MacLean had two goals and two assists and Sean Burke stopped 29 shots at St. Louis to lead the Devils past the slumping Blues. The Blues are winless in their last five games.

Minnesota 6, Pittsburgh 3--Larry Murphy broke a 3-3 tie early in the third period at Bloomington, Minn., and Perry Berezan followed with his first two goals of the season.

Edmonton 4, Hartford 2--Joe Murphy had a goal and an assist for the Oilers at Hartford.