NHL ROUNDUP : Jets’ Win Over Oilers Gives Second to Kings

The Winnipeg Jets let the Kings know early Tuesday night that the Kings would finish second in the Smythe Division.

The Jets had four goals in the second period at Edmonton and routed the Oilers, 6-2, to end the home club’s hopes of having the home-ice edge in the first round of the playoffs in their series with the Kings.

The Oilers, who could have finished second with a victory, played the Jets on even terms. The Jets will play division champion Vancouver in the first round.

Igor Ulanov started the Oilers’ downfall when he beat goalie Bill Ranford just 89 seconds after the start of the second period.

Before Vince Damphousse scored his 38th goal of the season, the Jets scored twice more. Then, one minute after Damphousse’s goal, Luciano Borsato made it 4-1 and it was all over.

Although the crowd was announced as 15,513, there were many empty seats. Those who did show up were raucous. They showed their displeasure at the Oilers’ play by throwing programs and popcorn on the ice. The fans were especially angry when referee Kerry Frazier failed to call a penalty when Craig McTavish dragged down an Oiler player in the second period.

Quebec 7, Buffalo 3--Although his team long ago missed out on any chance for the playoffs, Joe Sakic of the Nordiques is happy to resume play.

The Nordiques’ star scored four goals and Quebec ended its home season on a happy note.

Sakic, who has 29 goals, most of them after midseason, also had an assist.

Detroit 7, Minnesota 4--Steve Yzerman had a hat trick at Bloomington, Minn., and reached 100 points for the fifth consecutive season.

The veteran forward helped the Wings clinch home ice through the first three rounds of the playoffs.

Yzerman has 45 goals for the Red Wings, who are unbeaten in the last six games and finished 18 games above .500 for the first time since 1970.

St. Louis 5, Chicago 3--Brett Hull, the NHL’s leading goal scorer for the second year in a row, scored his 69th at St. Louis.

It was a preview of an opening playoff matchup between the two rivals beginning Saturday.