NHL ROUNDUP : Islanders Beat Blues to Stay in Playoff Race

Steve Thomas scored two power-play goals and Ron Hextall stopped 22 shots Tuesday night at Uniondale, N.Y., to lead the New York Islanders over the St. Louis Blues, 4-2, for their fifth victory in six games.

The Islanders climbed to within two points of the final Eastern Conference playoff spot. Brett Hull scored his 400th NHL goal in the loss.

Detroit 5, Calgary 2--Sergei Fedorov scored his first career hat trick in a battle of Western Conference leaders at Detroit. The Red Wings got their sixth victory in seven games, and moved two points ahead of idle Toronto in the Central Division.

Tampa Bay 4, Washington 3--Daren Puppa stopped 37 shots at Landover, Md., as the Lightning defeated the Capitals for the first time and ended Washington’s three-game winning streak.

Edmonton 7, Vancouver 4--Ilya Byakin’s power-play goal broke a tie and started a three-goal second period outburst at Vancouver.