NHL ROUNDUP : Hull Gets 3 More as Blues Win

When Wayne Gretzky scored 92 goals during the 1981-82 season, it was believed to be an untouchable record--similar to Joe DiMaggio hitting in 56 consecutive games.

But Brett Hull, the quick-firing wing of the St. Louis Blues, has a shot at Gretzky’s record.

In a meeting between the teams with the best records in the NHL, Hull had a hat trick Saturday night to lead the Blues to a 9-2 rout of the Boston Bruins, leaders of the Adams Division.

Hull has scored 20 goals in the past 15 games and has 68 goals in 62 games. He needs 24 in the last 18 games to tie Gretzky’s record.

The Blues (38-17-7) have 83 points, three ahead of both the Bruins and Chicago in the overall standings.

Hull has scored goals in 11 consecutive games. He added an assist and has 103 points for the season.

“I can’t even think of getting close to Wayne Gretzky’s record,” Hull said. “He is probably the greatest ever. I would have to really be lucky to get 92 goals. We just want to win the division.”

The Blues have won 12 of their past 14 games and Hull isn’t the only hot player. Linemate Adam Oates also has been playing well. He had a goal and three assists and has scored in 15 consecutive games.

The Bruins, who lead the Adams Division by eight points, have lost two in a row.

Philadelphia 5, New York Islanders 3--The Flyers put the Islanders away early with three goals in the first period at Uniondale, N.Y.

Keith Acton scored twice for the Flyers, who led, 4-1, after 25 minutes and moved into a tie with Pittsburgh for second place in the Patrick Division.

Islander center Pat LaFontaine scored his 35th goal.

Buffalo 5, Hartford 4--The Sabres blew a 3-1 lead early in the second period at Hartford, Conn., then fought back to get the victory for goalie Clint Malarchuk.

Malarchuk, out a month with a neck injury, stopped 37 shots, 18 in the final period.

Rick Vaive scored what proved to be the winning goal seven minutes into the second period.

Calgary 10, Quebec 8--The Flames had as many shots in the third period, 22, as the Nordiques did in the entire game at Calgary.

Yet, it took a great performance by Theoren Fleury to save the victory. Fleury had three goals, one on a penalty shot, and two assists.

The Flames, unbeaten in eight games, are two points behind the Kings in the Smythe Division.

Toronto 3, Montreal 3--Daniel Marois scored near the middle of the final period at Montreal to get the Maple Leafs a tie.

Peter Zezel scored the other two goals for Toronto.

Vancouver 5, Detroit 2--Rookie winger Jay Mazur scored twice in the second period at Vancouver to lead the Canucks to victory.

The Canucks moved to within four points of Winnipeg in the battle for the last playoff spot in the Smythe Division.

Chicago 3, Minnesota 3--The Blackhawks got even on Michel Goulet’s 22nd goal 7 1/2 minutes into the third period at Minneapolis.

The Blues open a two-game series tonight at Chicago.