NHL ROUNDUP : Flames Gain on Kings With Win Over Capitals

The Calgary Flames’ goal in their long home stand is to regain first place in the Smythe Division.

They took a step in that direction Friday night when Theoren Fleury scored his 27th goal to lead an 8-2 romp over the Washington Capitals.

The Flames stretched their unbeaten string at Calgary to eight games (7-0-1) and moved to within three points of the Kings. Before going on the road again, the Flames will have four more home games.

As is usually the case in Calgary, the Capitals were no match for the Flames. They were beaten, 9-4, in their other appearance this season and have won only once in their last nine games there.

In their next four games, the Flames will play St. Louis, Detroit, Vancouver and Quebec. The last two foes are last-place teams.

Gary Roberts had a goal and two assists as the Flames broke the game open after a close first period.

The Flames’ first six goals came in only 11 shots against Mike Liut. Don Beaupre replaced Liut in the net before the middle of the second period.

New York Rangers 5, Hartford 3--Although Mike Gartner’s goal-scoring streak came to an end, the Rangers continued to build on their lead in the Patrick Division.

Kevin Miller scored two goals and the Rangers extended their lead to eight points with the victory at New York.

Gartner, who assisted on both of Miller’s goals, had scored in seven consecutive games.

It was a costly loss. Center Kelly Kisio had to leave with a groin injury and Darren Turcotte is another ailing center. Next week they will lose another center, Bernie Nicholls, who will be serving a three-game suspension.

The loss dropped Hartford below .500 again.

Buffalo 2, Montreal 2--Rookie Darrin Shannon’s second-period goal at Buffalo gave the Sabres their league-leading 14th tie this season.

This was the fourth Buffalo home game that went into overtime. In the four, they are 0-1-3. The Sabres are winless at home in their last seven games (0-3-4). Overall in their last five games, they are unbeaten (1-0-4).