NHL ROUNDUP : Flames Extend Home Streak to 18

Gary Roberts scored the tiebreaking goal early in the third period and the Calgary Flames tied the Kings for the Smythe Division lead with a 4-2 victory over the New York Islanders Thursday night at Calgary.

The Flames extended their home-ice unbeaten streak to a club-record 18 games (17-0-1), dating to a 6-2 loss to Edmonton on Dec. 22. Calgary has 91 points--tied with the Kings and St. Louis for second-best in the NHL behind Chicago’s 92.

The defeat officially ended the Islanders’ hopes for a playoff berth in the Patrick Division.

Roberts’ goal at 5:47 of the third period broke a 2-2 tie. Joe Nieuwendyk scored twice for Calgary.

Wayne McBean put New York ahead, 2-1, at 8:13 of the second period before the Flames took control.

Boston 3, Montreal 2--Craig Janney scored one goal and assisted on another as the Bruins increased their lead over the Canadiens in the Adams Division by winning at Boston.

The Bruins, with two games in hand, have a seven-point lead over Montreal, which has seven games remaining.

Boston’s Andy Moog had his second consecutive shutout going until Stephane Richer scored for Montreal at 3:03 of the third period to make it 3-1.

Guy Carbonneau scored at 12:05 to get the Canadiens close, but Moog saved a breakaway shot by Shayne Corson with 10 seconds left.

Minnesota 2, St. Louis 2--Mike Modano’s 55-foot shot with 11 seconds left in regulation lifted the North Stars into a tie with the Blues at St. Louis.

The goal erased the Blues’ 2-1 advantage gained on Brett Hull’s 78th goal at 3:52 of the third period. Hull’s goal extended his goal-scoring streak to six games.

Hull, the NHL goal-scoring leader, has nine goals and 15 points in his past six games.

Hartford 4, Detroit 2--Pat Verbeek’s rebound goal broke a 2-2 tie and Kevin Dineen scored twice as the Whalers defeated the Red Wings at Hartford, Conn.

Detroit’s Dave Barr suffered a broken ankle when he was checked into the boards by former teammate Doug Houda early in the final period.

Washington 5, Quebec 3--Kelly Miller scored twice and Calle Johansson had a goal and three assists as the Capitals beat the Nordiques at Landover, Md.