NHL ROUNDUP : Blackhawks Still Red Hot, Go Over 100-Point Mark

The Chicago Blackhawks hadn’t reached the 100-point mark since 1982-83, but they have 101 after defeating the Minnesota North Stars, 5-4, Sunday at Chicago.

The Blackhawks, who are 7-0-1 in their last eight games, scored all five of their goals in the second period, with Mike Hudson getting two of them.

“They really stoned us in that second period,” Minnesota Coach Bob Gainey said. “They had 12 two-on-ones and we couldn’t survive.”

The victory gave Chicago a four-point lead over the idle St. Louis Blues in the Norris Division race for first place. Both teams have four games left.

The Blackhawks, trailing 1-0, scored four goals in a 3:48 span, beginning with an unusual goal by Hudson at 9:59.

Hudson, who went into the game with only four goals this season, took a pass in the slot from Paul Gillis along the left boards. Hudson controlled it, but fanned on a wrist shot, leaving the puck moving slowly toward the goal. The miss destroyed goalie Brian Hayward’s timing and the puck slithered under his outstretched glove.

Buffalo 6, Philadelphia 2--Alexander Mogilny scored two unassisted goals, his 26th and 27th of the season, as the Sabres won at Buffalo.

Mogilny took advantage of two giveaways by the Philadelphia defense--one of which he forced with good forechecking--to give the Sabres their third victory in four games and a three-point lead over idle Hartford for third place in the Adams Division.

New York Rangers 3, New York Islanders 1--Brian Mullen and Corey Millen scored within a 17-second span of the third period as the Rangers won at Madison Square Garden to break an eight-game losing streak and clinch a playoff spot.

The victory also moved the Rangers one point behind Pittsburgh in the battle for first place in the Patrick Division. The Rangers have three games left in the regular season, including a meeting with Pittsburgh on the final day of the season next Sunday. The Penguins have four games left.

Boston 3, Washington 3--Michal Pivonka scored twice as the Capitals rallied to tie the Bruins at Landover, Md. The tie moved Washington, which is 7-2-2 in its last 11 games, one point ahead of the New Jersey Devils into sole possession of third place in the Patrick Division.