NHL ROUNDUP : Sharks Beat Jets, Move Closer to a Playoff Berth

Igor Larionov scored three times to lead the San Jose Sharks to an 8-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets Friday night at Winnipeg.

The victory leaves the Sharks with 69 points in the Pacific Division and moves them closer to a playoff berth. They have an eight-point lead over the Kings, who beat Edmonton, and a 10-point lead over the Mighty Ducks.

The loss ended a three-game winning streak for the Jets.

Larionov scored in the first minute on a shot that appeared to bounce off goalie Tim Cheveldae’s skate. His second goal came on a hard shot from about 10 feet, and his third was scored on a shot that bounced off Cheveldae’s shoulder as he tried to block it. The puck dribbled into the net to give the Sharks a 4-1 lead.

Larionov was expecting more from the Jets.

“I read in the newspaper this morning that the Jets had three good games and I thought that it was going to be tougher,” the 33-year-old center said.

“It was a crucial game to us and everybody was prepared to put in their best effort.”

The Jets were coming off Wednesday’s 3-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, but Coach John Paddock was calmly philosophical about Friday’s loss to the expansion club, a result that dashed Winnipeg’s hopes for a playoff berth.

“Hockey is a humbling game at certain times,” said Paddock, who is also general manager.

Buffalo 6, Hartford 3--Jason Dawe and Wayne Presley scored twice at Buffalo as the Sabres eliminated the Whalers from playoff contention.

Grant Fuhr stopped 29 shots to pull Buffalo to within one point of Boston for fifth place in the Eastern Conference.

The Whalers have 56 points--19 fewer than eighth-place Florida with nine games to play.

St. Louis 5, Dallas 3--Brett Hull’s 50th goal put the Blues ahead to stay, and he finished with three goals at Dallas.

Hull, who has 51 goals, reached the 50-goal mark for the fifth consecutive season. Last season, he finished with 54. The hat trick was his third this season and the 21st of his career.

Hull came close to his first four-goal game when he scored into an empty net with 1:19 to play, but Kevin Miller was offside.

Detroit 2, Washington 2--Keith Primeau scored with 1:32 left to help the Red Wings gain a tie at Detroit.

After Washington scored on its first two shots of the game, by Sylvain Cote and Kelly Miller, the Red Wings appeared headed for their fourth loss in five games at the Joe Louis Arena.

New York Rangers 5, Vancouver 2--The Rangers extended their Atlantic Division lead over New Jersey to four points with the victory at Vancouver.

Brian Leetch and Brian Noonam each scored twice for the Rangers.