NHL ROUNDUP : Sharks End Descent, Flash Past Lightning

The San Jose Sharks broke a nine-game losing streak Friday night as Mike Sullivan and Dave Snuggerud scored within 27 seconds of the third period for a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Sullivan said the fact that San Jose was still in the game after two periods was a big lift.

“It was a great feeling to come out after two with a (scoreless) tie,” said Sullivan, in his second NHL season. “I’m sure my goal took the wind out of their sails.”

The Sharks (2-9) won despite being outshot, 38-25, in the game played at Tampa.

Washington 3, Calgary 1--Kevin Hatcher scored two second-period goals as the Capitals (4-7) ended a four-game losing streak. The Flames (7-4) lead the Kings by one point in the Smythe Division. Hatcher’s goals came in a three-goal period by the Capitals, who were winless in seven previous games in Calgary, dating to Feb. 22, 1987.

Goalie Jim Hrivnak sparkled in frustrating the Flames, who had won six of their last seven games. He faced 36 shots.

New York Islanders 4, New Jersey 1--Islander Coach Al Arbour has seen enough hockey games to know that it is far easier to win by holding the lead rather than coming from behind. That’s what New York did against the Devils at East Rutherford, N.J.

The Islanders, who have scored the game’s first goal a league-leading 10 times, scored their first only 27 seconds into the game and added two more before the nine-minute mark.

Detroit 7, Toronto 1--The Red Wings’ Bob Probert knows he is off to a slow start. If he needed any reminder, he had only to look at his locker. There, taped at eye level, is a recent Hockey News article with a headline about “Probert’s sluggish start.”

The reminder seems to be working. Probert, Steve Yzerman and Dallas Drake each scored two goals at Detroit. Probert also had two assists.

“I know I didn’t have a good start, so it was nice to get these last two games,” Probert said. “Now I feel good, and I know I can keep this up.”

Probert got both his goals for the Red Wings (7-4) in a span of less than four minutes in the first period. He opened the scoring at 9:41 by knocking in a loose puck during a two-man power play, then scored on a solo break-in to make it 2-0.

Minnesota 3, Vancouver 2--Goaltender Darcy Wakaluk won his first game of the season, making 10 of his 21 saves in the third period for the North Stars (6-4-1). Wakaluk had given up 14 goals in his previous two starts.

Mike Modano, Mike Craig and Derian Hatcher scored for the North Stars. Doug Lidster and Sergio Momesso scored for the Canucks, who have won only once in six games.

Wakaluk, who plays infrequently behind No. 1 goalie Jon Casey, stopped Canuck captain Trevor Linden from close range with three minutes left for his most difficult save.

The North Stars, smarting from a 5-2 loss Wednesday in Edmonton, came out skating hard and set the tempo. They frustrated the Canucks with tenacious forechecking while taking a 2-1 lead in the first period.

Buffalo 12, Ottawa 3--The Senators (1-9) lost their ninth game in a row as Pat LaFontaine had two goals and three assists at Buffalo. The Sabres (6-3-1) peppered Senator goalie Steve Weeks with 19 shots in the opening 20 minutes as they built a 6-1 cushion over the expansion Senators, who tied San Jose for the longest losing streak in the NHL this season.

LaFontaine’s offensive output came in less than half the game. He received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct at 8:07 of the second period after his high stick caught Ottawa’s Chris Luongo, an act LaFontaine said was unintentional.

“Sometimes those things happen,” LaFontaine said. “I wanted to lift his stick and unfortunately I caught him under the chin.

“I’m glad to see he is OK.”