STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS : This Time, Rangers Use a Fast Finish to Beat Islanders

The New York Rangers finished fast after a slow start and finished the New York Islanders for the season.

“The Islanders came out strong, but we kept our composure,” goaltender Mike Richter said after the Rangers beat the Islanders, 5-2, Sunday at Uniondale, N.Y. to complete a four-game sweep of their first-round playoff series.

For the first time in the series, the Rangers fell behind at the start of the game when the Islanders scored on their first two shots.

But the Rangers rallied with five consecutive goals, two by Mark Messier, to finish off the Islanders and advance to the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

“It’s impressive,” Richter said. “I went to the bench when we were down two early goals. And all the guys were talking about keeping our oomposure, wearing them down, taking control.”

The Rangers, who won the first three games by scores of 6-0, 6-0 and 5-1, fell behind as the Islanders came out strong trying to avoid their first four-game sweep in playoff history.

As it turned out, it was the highlight of the game for them.

Dallas 2, St. Louis 1--Mike Modano scored both goals at St. Louis, including the game-winner on a power play with 3:49 to play, as the Stars completed a four-game sweep.

Modano took a pass from Russ Courtnall and scored his fifth goal of the playoffs from the right circle.

The goal came with Steve Duchesne in the penalty box for hooking and right after St. Louis penalty-killer Rick Zombo broke his stick.

It was the third time in four games that Dallas won late. The Stars scored twice in the final 3:49 to win Game 1, 5-3, and got an overtime power-play goal from Paul Cavallini to win Game 3, 5-4, Friday night.

Calgary 3, Vancouver 2--The Flames won their second consecutive road game with another third-period rally that left the Canucks on the verge of elimination.

Third-period goals by Wes Walz and Theo Fleury carried the Flames to a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series that continues Tuesday in Calgary.

Chicago 4, Toronto 3--Jeremy Roenick scored one minute, 23 seconds into overtime at Chicago, enabling the Blackhawks to tie the Western Conference quarterfinal series at 2-2.

Roenick made a 20-foot shot from the right faceoff circle past Felix Potvin. Gary Suter of Chicago scored his third goal of the game with 7:25 left in the third period tied the score at 3-3.