NHL PLAYOFF ROUNDUP : Devils Stop Penguins’ Streak

The Pittsburgh Penguins’ NHL-record 14-game playoff winning streak and their overall 21-game unbeaten streak ended Sunday at East Rutherford, N.J., as the New Jersey Devils defeated the two-time Stanley Cup champions, 4-1.

It was the Penguins’ first loss since dropping a 3-1 decision the New York Rangers on March 5, and their first playoff loss since the third game of the Patrick Division final against the Rangers last May.

It also prevented Pittsburgh from sweeping the first-round series. They lead, 3-1.

“We had a pretty good streak from last year in the playoffs and then again at the end of the year,” Penguin center Mario Lemieux said. “It was just a matter of time until we lost one.”

Stephane Richer, scoreless in the opening three games of the series, woke up the Devils’ slumbering power play with a goal and two assists, and goaltender Chris Terreri made 30 saves.

“We displayed a seventh-game mentality,” Devil Coach Herb Brooks said.

The Penguins can wrap up the best-of-seven series by winning Game 5 tonight when the two teams return to Pittsburgh.

For the second game in a row, the Devils forced the free-wheeling Penguins into a clutch-and-grab type of game that at times left Lemieux openly frustrated. The NHL’s leading scorer was so annoyed early in the second period, he ripped a stick out of the hands of John MacLean and tossed it into the corner. Lemieux later threw the Devils’ forward to the ice after play stopped.

Vancouver 3, Winnipeg 1--Sergio Momesso scored what proved to be the game-winning goal and goaltender Kirk McLean made 29 saves at Winnipeg as the Canucks beat the Jets, moving within a game of clinching their first-round Smythe Division playoff.

Momesso’s goal at 3:18 of the second period gave Vancouver a 2-0 lead, more than enough for McLean.

Vancouver leads the series, 3-1, and can close it out Tuesday night at Vancouver.

St. Louis 4, Chicago 3--Blackhawk goaltender Ed Belfour left the crease to try to track down the puck, collided with Blues forward Brett Hull and couldn’t get back in time to stop a weak shot from the left circle by Craig Janney at 10:43 of overtime at St. Louis.

Janney’s goal gave the underdog Blues a sweep of the first-round series.

The Blackhawks finally ended Blues goalie Curtis Joseph’s shutout streak after almost three games--the drought ended after 174 minutes 18 seconds--but it was small consolation for the Norris Division champions.

The Blues finished 21 points behind Chicago in the regular season and didn’t clinch a playoff berth until the final game. They get some rest before a second-round meeting with the winner of the Detroit-Toronto series.

Toronto 3, Detroit 2--Dave Andreychuk’s goal at 4:47 of the third period at Toronto lifted the Maple Leafs over the Red Wings, tying their Norris Division playoff series at two games apiece.

Andreychuk got a loose puck, then swung to the side of the net and used his reach to score with his forehand on Detroit goalie Tim Cheveldae. It was Andreychuk’s second goal of the game and fourth of the series.

Detroit, on a power play, pulled Cheveldae with 80 seconds remaining for a two-man advantage. Yves Racine had a scoring chance but Toronto rookie Felix Potvin made the save. With 13 seconds left, Ray Sheppard fired a shot off the goal post.