NHL ROUNDUP : Jets Defeat Slumping Flames, 4-3

At the start of the year it appeared the Calgary Flames were in position to run away with the Smythe Division.

The Kings, in a slump, were on a long trip and the Flames were playing the best hockey in the NHL.

But halfway through January the Flames are mired in a slump and the Kings are in first place by two points.

Phil Housley and Pat Elynuik scored goals 32 seconds apart Sunday night at Winnipeg to lead the Jets to a 4-3 victory over the Flames. It was the third consecutive loss for the Flames.

The Flames trail the Kings by two points and have played two more games than L.A.

The Jets, who had lost four in a row, built a 4-1 lead after two periods.

Chicago 5, Minnesota 3--Jeremy Roenick had two goals and an assist to lead the Blackhawks at Chicago.

The Blackhawks improved their record to 31-14-3, best in the league. With 65 points, the Blackhawks have six more points than the New York Rangers. The Blackhawks lead second-place St. Louis by eight points.

Edmonton 5, Philadelphia 3--The return of Mark Messier has rekindled the Oilers’ drive into contention in the Smythe Division.

The Oilers oft-injured center reached the 1,000-point mark with two assists at Philadelphia. It was the second win in a row for the Oilers since Messier returned to the lineup.

Goalie Bill Ranford made 34 saves in the first two periods, but the Flyers had only two shots in the third period.

St. Louis 3, Montreal 1--Brett Hull scored his 45th goal in 45 games, but it was Paul MacLean who scored the game-winner at Montreal.

The Canadiens could have moved into first place in the Adams Division with a victory.

New York Rangers 4, Hartford 3--Kelly Kisio had four assists to lead the Rangers to victory at New York.

Defenseman Brian Leetch’s second goal broke a 3-3 tie late in the second period.

The Rangers, who ended a two-game losing streak, stretched their lead in the Patrick Division to eight points.

New York Islanders 4, Quebec 3--The Islanders scored on their last three shots to pull out the victory at Quebec.

The last goal, by Derek King, came with only 86 seconds left in regulation.