NHL ROUNDUP : Hextall Is Back, Has Big Game for Flyers

Ron Hextall, playing for the first time since Oct. 27, stopped 29 shots to lead the Philadelphia Flyers to a 5-4 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks Sunday night at Chicago.

Hextall injured ligaments in his left knee against the New York Islanders six weeks ago. He had lost his first three decisions before the injury, and the victory was his first since Feb. 22.

Hextall was at his best in the second period, making 17 saves as the Flyers, who ended a three-game losing streak, were outshot 18-4.

Rick Tocchet set up Mike Ricci’s power-play goal at 9:52 of the first period, snapping a 1-1 tie, and beat Ed Belfour with a 40-foot slap shot at 14:09 for a 3-1 lead.

Derrick Smith knocked Martin Hostak’s pass behind Belfour at 1:37 of the second period for a 4-1 advantage before the Blackhawks rallied.

Pelle Eklund scored what proved to be the game-winner with 4:12 left in the game, beating Belfour with a shot that deflected off defenseman Chris Chelios’ stick and into the net.

Chicago’s Steve Larmer scored his 21st of the season with 36 seconds remaining with the Blackhawks on a power play and Belfour on the bench for an extra attacker.

Calgary 3, Edmonton 2--Al MacInnis, the NHL’s highest-scoring defenseman, scored two goals in the second period as the Flames won at Edmtonon to move past the Kings and into first place in the Smythe Division.

MacInnis gave the Flames a 2-1 lead early in the second period when he unleashed a slap shot that hit Edmonton goaltender Bill Ranford’s pads and trickled into the net. MacInnis added an unassisted power-play goal on another slap shot at 13:17.

He extended his point-scoring streak to six games and brought his season totals to 13 goals and 31 assists for 44 points.

Boston 3, Buffalo 2--Andy Moog, removed from Saturday night’s 7-1 loss to Montreal after giving up three first-period goals, rebounded with a 28-save performance as Boston held off the Sabres at Buffalo.

The Bruins, who had given up 17 goals in their last three games, kept Buffalo scoreless until the third period and got goals from Don Sweeney, Ray Bourque and Cam Neely to climb back into first place in the Adams Division by one point over idle Montreal.