NHL ROUNDUP : Capitals Switch On the Power Play

The Washington Capitals had been playing as though points were awarded for style. Their power play was lovely to watch, but basically powerless, as witness a one-for-26 performance going into Friday’s game against the New York Islanders.

It became one for 29 before Randy Burridge and Dimitri Khristich scored power-play goals in the second period and Al Iafrate added one in the third in a 3-1 victory over the Islanders at Landover, Md.

It was easy enough.

“You have to shoot to score,” center Mike Ridley said. “We’ve been a little guilty of trying to work the pretty play, rolling in and out all over the place. The best solution is to keep firing at the goalie.”

The Capitals did in stretching their record to 5-0-1 over the last six games and 8-2-1 under new Coach Jim Schoenfeld.

Detroit 5, Edmonton 1--Ray Sheppard scored the 200th goal of his career and Paul Coffey had three assists for the Red Wings at home as Edmonton’s winless streak stretched to six games.

Sheppard’s goal, on a power play, was also his 44th of the season, tying Toronto’s Dave Andreychuk for the NHL lead.

Detroit won its fourth in five games; Edmonton dropped to 0-5-1 in its last six.

New York Rangers 3, Ottawa 0--Adam Graves scored two goals and assisted on another at New York in a game between the teams with the NHL’s best and worst records.

The Senators failed to win for the 11th consecutive game (0-8-3). Their NHL-worst record is 9-43-8.

The Rangers lead the overall NHL standings with a 37-15-4 mark.

Buffalo 4, Florida 1--Donald Audette scored two power-play goals and Dominik Hasek stopped 27 shots to lead the Sabres at home.

Jason Dawe and Brad May also scored as the Sabres beat Florida for the first time in three meetings this season.

Dallas 4, Calgary 2--Russ Courtnall and Mike Modano each had a goal and an assist as the Stars won at home.

Dallas is 8-2-0 in its last 10 games. Calgary had won six of its previous seven.

St. Louis 3, Boston 1--Brendan Shanahan and Brett Hull scored power-play goals seven seconds apart in the third period, and Curtis Joseph blocked 40 shots for the Blues at home.

Chicago 7, Winnipeg 2--Michel Goulet moved into a tie with Maurice Richard for 11th on the NHL’s all-time scoring list with his 544th goal and the Blackhawks won at Winnipeg to extend the Jets’ winless streak to 14 games.