NHL ROUNDUP : Canucks Trip Again on Rocky Road, 3-1

The Vancouver Canucks’ slump is getting serious.

The surprise team of the NHL this season, which has enjoyed a double digit lead in the Smythe Division, is faltering on the road.

Pierre Turgeon scored twice Saturday night at Uniondale, N.Y., and the New York Islanders, humiliated by the New York Rangers Friday night, beat the Canucks, 3-1. It was the fifth consecutive loss for the Canucks.

The Islanders, beaten, 9-2, by the Rangers, started the Canucks’ skid 10 days ago with an overtime win at Vancouver. The Canucks face the Rangers Monday night in the windup of a disastrous five-game trip.

Former King goalie Glenn Healy was brilliant for the Islanders. He stopped 37 shots. The Canucks had the first 13 shots of the third period, but Healy, who has won four in a row, stopped them all.

While the Canucks’ division lead was cut to nine points, the Islanders moved within five points of fourth-place Pittsburgh in the Patrick Division.

Quebec 4, Montreal 4--The Nordiques’ seasonlong winless streak on the road reached 28 games, but at least they had the satisfaction of getting their sixth tie of the streak.

The Canadiens, who have lost only seven games at home this season, appeared to have another victory when Stephan Lebeau scored seven minutes into the final period for a 4-2 lead.

But Owen Nolan, one of the bright spots for Quebec, scored his 29th goal a minute later. There were still more than 8 1/2 minutes remaining in regulation when Herb Raglan tied the score.

Winnipeg 3, Toronto 1--The Jets are indicating they are ready to challenge the Canucks. Defenseman Phil Housley, the Jets’ leading scorer, and Paul McDermid scored first-period goals.

That was plenty for Bob Essensa, who stopped 36 shots and won his 18th game.

Housley’s goal was his 21st, the sixth consecutive season in which he scored more than 20.

Minnesota 5, Pittsburgh 2--The Stanley Cup champion Penguins welcomed back Mario Lemieux and Paul Coffey, but still couldn’t handle the North Stars at Bloomington, Minn.

Ulf Dahlen, in his fifth NHL season, reached the 30-goal mark for the first time.

Lemieux, who missed six games with another back problem, assisted on the first goal, but the Penguins are in an 0-4-1 skid.

St. Louis 7, Calgary 2-- Craig Janney got his first hat trick for the Blues, and Brett Hull had his 56th goal and two assists at St. Louis.

Janney was acquired from Boston in the Adam Oates trade Feb. 7.

New Jersey 4, Hartford 1--The Devils have not given up hope of winning the Patrick Division.

Randy McKay had a goal and an assist at East Rutherford, N.J., to lead the Devils to their fourth victory in a row.

The Devils moved to within 10 points of the Rangers and play the division leaders today.

Philadelphia 8, Edmonton 5--The Flyers, last in the Patrick Division, are making a run for the playoffs.

Kevin Dineen scored twice, including the first of the Flyers’ five in the first period, as their surge went to 7-1-1 at Philadelphia.

Detroit 11, San Jose 1--The Sharks blew a three-goal lead Friday night at Buffalo, but at Detroit they made no pretense of winning their third road game.

Jimmy Carson had a hat trick in the first period and the Red Wings dominated throughout. The expansion team is 2-27-2 on the road.