NHL ROUNDUP : Recchi Helps Flyers Soar Above the Islanders, 4-1

Newly acquired Mark Recchi is giving the Philadelphia Flyers renewed hopes of earning a spot in the playoffs.

Recchi had a goal and two assists Tuesday night at Philadelphia to lead the Flyers to a 4-1 victory over the New York Islanders. With the victory, the Flyers kept alive their hopes in the Patrick Division.

There are 19 games remaining, and the Flyers trail fourth-place Pittsburgh by seven points. Although the Flyers are in last place, they moved within four points of the Islanders, the team with the best chance to overtake the defending NHL champion Penguins.

Recchi has played three games since the Flyers obtained him from Pittsburgh in exchange for Rick Tocchet. He has three goals and four assists for his new team, which is 12-0-3 against the Islanders at the Spectrum.

Recchi had a goal before the Islanders even had a shot, scoring at 4:29 of the opening period on a power play. The Islanders didn’t their first shot until 9:18.

New York Rangers 4, Chicago 1--Darren Turcotte and Doug Weight scored during the third period at New York to ensure the Rangers’ victory.

The Rangers improved to 40-20-4, the first time in 19 years they have been 20 games over .500. They stayed five points ahead of Washington in the Patrick Division.

Washington 5, Pittsburgh 3--Dale Hunter scored twice at Landover, Md., to help the Capitals and goalie Don Beaupre continue their mastery over the Penguins.

Beaupre stopped 24 shots to beat the Penguins for the fifth time in six games this season.

The Penguins, who are in a 1-6-3 slump, suddenly are in danger of not making the playoffs.

St. Louis 5, Hartford 2--Brett Hull scored his 59th goal and Bob Bassen scored twice during the second period at Hartford to lead the Blues.

The Whalers are in a 2-14-7 slump.

Toronto 5, New Jersey 5--The Maple Leafs’ Doug Gilmour scored his 20th goal with 1:42 to play in regulation to create the tie.

The tie extended the Devils’ winless streak to four games (0-2-2).

Buffalo 5, Calgary 3--Pat LaFontaine had a goal and two assists at Calgary as the Sabres turned a fast start into victory. The Sabres, who lost the first two games on the trip, scored three early goals.