NHL ROUNDUP : Barrasso, Penguins Beat Jets

As recently as three seasons ago, Tom Barrasso was rated the best goaltender in the National Hockey League. At 25, Barrasso was beginning to wonder if he was finished.

Injuries and family problems threatened to end his career. He played only 24 games last season and was rated only the No. 3 goaltender of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

But, as the Penguins start their climb in the Patrick Division, Barrasso is coming with them.

Paul Coffey became the third defenseman to get 700 assists and Barrasso sparkled in the nets Tuesday night at Pittsburgh in a 9-2 win over Winnipeg.

It was the Penguins’ fourth victory in a row and it marked the first time all season Barrasso played consecutive games. He played a sensational game Sunday night, stopping 40 shots. In this one he gave up two early scores, then stopped the Jets’ last 25 shots.

He worked only three of 12 games before Sunday and has won three in a row.

Coffey led the attack with his 13th goal (on which Barrasso assisted) and two assists. He joins Denis Potvin and Larry Robinson as the only blueliners to set up that many goals.

“It’s nice,” Coffey said. “It means I’ve played a lot of years, been rather consistent and played with some great players. If you play with Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, you should get a lot of points.”

The Penguins buoyed by the news that Lemieux, out since last spring with a back problem, will start working out, played one of their best games. The high-scoring center will resume skating in January and could return in less than six weeks.

“I really thought my next appearance would be Dec. 31,” Barrasso said. “But, I’m grateful. I know I can play again. I want to help make this a good team again.

“I am back in form both mentally and physically. When we get Mario back, we might just be the best team in the division.”

New Jersey 8, Boston 3--The Bruins thought it would be a good time to give backup goalie Reggie Lemelin the start at East Rutherford, N.J. It wasn’t.

Before Andy Moog came to the rescue in the second minute of the second period, Lemelin had given up five goals in 13 shots and the Bruins were down, 5-1. There was no way they could recover.

Vancouver 3, Calgary 2--Jay Mazur scored his first NHL goal to help the Canucks score a rare victory at Calgary.

The Canucks ended a six-game winless streak with their first win in Calgary since 1987. They lost five and tied one.

The Flames, who outshot the Canucks, 36-27, trounced the Canucks Sunday at Vancouver, 5-2. Despite the loss, the Flames lead the Smythe Division by five points.

Quebec 6, Montreal 4--The Nordiques battled from a 3-1 deficit in the second period at Quebec to beat the Canadiens, a team that had beaten them in nine of 10 previous games.

Tony Hrkac broke a 3-3 tie with less than three minutes gone in the last period. Joe Sakic and Mats Sundin also scored to clinch the victory. It was the third loss in a row for the Canadiens.

Detroit 3, Philadelphia 1--Sergei Federov continues to spark the surge of the Red Wings. His 16th goal came with 2:54 left in regulation at Detroit and broke a 1-1 tie.

Federov spoiled an outstanding performance by Flyer goalie Ron Hextall, who stopped 27 shots, 14 in the last period.

The center from the Soviet Union leads all rookies in goals scored and has four in the last five games.

“I’ll make the same comment I made before the game,” Flyer Coach Paul Holmgren said. “I’d love to have him.”

Toronto 2, New York Islanders 2--Pat LaFontaine scored his 20th goal early in the third period at Uniondale, N.Y. to get the Islanders the tie.

Mike Foligno, obtained from Buffalo Monday, suffered a knee injury early in the second period of his Toronto debut and never returned to the ice.

Buffalo 4, Hartford 3--Dave Andreychuk scored his 15th goal at 1:07 of overtime at Hartford and the Sabres ended their five-game losing streak.

Hartford rookie Bobby Holik forced the overtime when he scored in the middle of the third period.