NHL ROUNDUP : Clark Picks Up Slack in Maple Leaf Victory

On an evening of fraught with streaks, a few ended.

Much to the chagrin of New Jersey Coach Jacques Lemaire, none of them were the Devils’.

Toronto broke a streak Thursday at home, where Wendel Clark scored both goals in the Maple Leafs’ 2-1 victory over New Jersey.

It was Toronto’s first victory since Nov. 27 without a goal by Doug Gilmour or Dave Andreychuk, whose 16-game point streak also ended.

Clark skated on the second line, with Mike Eastwood and Rob Pearson.

Maple Leaf Coach Pat Burns said he liked what he saw from them.

“The guys were playing hard, and I say if they’re playing hard, I’ll give them ice time,” Burns said. “Gilmour and Andreychuk, it wasn’t their night. If Eastwood’s line doesn’t show up, we’re in trouble.”

Lemaire was angry after his team’s troubles continued, even after a four-day rest period. New Jersey is winless in its last three games overall (0-2-1) and its last six on the road (0-3-3).

“There are a few guys looking for excuses,” Lemaire said. “If they’re not happy, they can watch from the stands.”

Quebec 8, San Jose 2--Mike Ricci scored five goals at San Jose, tying a club record.

Ricci scored three times at even strength, once on a power play and once short-handed. He has 15 points in his last four games against the Sharks.

Pittsburgh 6, Hartford 4--After the Penguins had gone 0 for 6 on power plays, Kevin Stevens and Mike Stapleton scored with the man advantage in the third period to lift the Penguins at home.

Stevens and Stapleton scored from close range against Hartford goaltender Sean Burke as the Penguins won their third game in a row.

Tampa Bay 4, Montreal 3--Shawn Chambers scored on a power play at 18:54 of the third period to lift the Lightning at home.

Chambers got the game-winning goal with a slap shot from just inside the blue line as the Lightning snapped a five-game home winless streak (0-3-2).

Vancouver 4, Chicago 2--Geoff Courtnall and Jyrki Lumme each had a goal and an assist for the Canucks at Chicago.

The Blackhawks have lost five of their last six games.