NHL ROUNDUP : Oilers’ Simpson Makes the Most of His Free Time

While awaiting a hearing on his three-day suspension, Craig Simpson is enjoying his freedom.

The veteran center asked for a hearing after he was suspended for using his stick as a weapon in a game last week. The ruling was handed down Friday.

Simpson had two goals and an assist in the third period Sunday at Buffalo to lead the surging Edmonton Oilers to a 3-2 victory over the Sabres.

Until they broke loose for their fourth victory in a row, the Oilers had only 12 shots at Daren Puppa in the first 40 minutes and trailed, 2-0.

Simpson scored his 22nd goal on a power play in the first minute of the last period. Nine seconds later, he assisted on Glenn Anderson’s tying goal. Just before the middle of the period, Simpson slipped behind the defense, took a pass from Mark Messier and lifted the puck into the net just under the crossbar.

Simpson made his illegal hit against a Vancouver player in Thursday night’s game. He has four goals in the past three games.

The Stanley Cup champions, who struggled at the start, winning only two of their first 15 games, have surged back into contention. They are now only six points behind the Smythe Division-leadings Kings.

“We are inching closer to the elite of the NHL,” Coach John Muckler said. “Even though we’ve been improving, there are still many who think we can’t challenge for the cup again. I think they’re wrong.”

Boston 6, Pittsburgh 3--Good teams don’t often lose back-to-back games--especially if the second one is at home.

Defenseman Ray Bourque assisted on three goals at Boston as the Bruins avenged a 6-2 loss at Pittsburgh Saturday night.

The Penguins were without Mario Lemieux, who injured his groin Saturday night in the third game of his comeback after an absence of 10 months. There is no word on when the high-scoring center will return.

The Bruins built a 5-1 lead for rookie goaltender Norm Foster before the middle of the third period. It was the first NHL victory for Foster, who lost his debut the night before.

The Bruins increased their lead in the Adams Division to six points.

Winnipeg 4, New York Rangers 3--The winning goal at New York was a fluke, but the Jets thought it was beautiful.

Halfway through the final period in a 3-3 tie, Winnipeg’s Thomas Steen made a centering pass from the right circle.

The puck struck Ranger defenseman Joe Cirella and caromed past stunned goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck. The goal was the third Jets’ power-play score in five chances.

The Rangers are the best penalty-killing team on home ice in the NHL.

But they are in a slump. In their past seven games they are 1-4-2. However, they still lead the Patrick Division by two points.

New York Islanders 1, Hartford 1--Young goaltenders Jeff Hackett of the Islanders and Daryl Reaugh dominated this game at Uniondale, N.Y.

Hackett stopped 23 shots, losing his shutout when Todd Krygier scored in the last minute of the second period. Reaugh, facing the Islanders for the first time, stopped 26 shots. Bill Berg scored in the middle of the second period.