NHL ROUNDUP : Penguins Beat Rangers to Clinch Playoff Berth

Ron Francis’ second goal of the game late in the third period helped the Pittsburgh Penguins clinch a playoff berth with a 6-5 victory over the New York Rangers on Tuesday night at Pittsburgh.

The Penguins qualified for the playoffs for a fifth consecutive season, a record for the 28-year-old franchise.

“It helps,” Francis said. “We know we’re not one of those teams desperate to make the last spot.”

The Rangers lost despite a five-assist performance by defenseman Brian Leetch, which tied a team record, and four assists by Mark Messier. Walt Tkaczuk and Rod Gilbert also had five assists in games against Pittsburgh, and the Rangers have had five five-assist games.

The Rangers tied the score at 14:31 when Alexei Kovalev scored off Leetch’s pass. But the Penguins needed only 29 seconds to reclaim the lead for good.

Leetch tried to check Jaromir Jagr behind the net but couldn’t prevent him from making a good pass to Francis. Alone in front, Francis waited until Mike Richter committed himself, then found the opening for his 11th goal.

The Rangers, who won the Stanley Cup last season, are in danger of missing the playoffs with seven games remaining.

“We’re taking each game like it’s our last,” Coach Colin Campbell said.

Philadelphia 3, Florida 1--Eric Lindros scored a goal and had two assists at Miami as the Flyers won their seventh game in a row.

Goaltender Ron Hextall also remained hot for the Flyers--winning his sixth consecutive start--though he was hardly tested as the Panthers managed only seven shots in the first two periods.

Hartford 2, Buffalo 1--Darren Turcotte’s soft wrist shot from the point with 3:14 remaining lifted the Whalers over the Sabres at Buffalo.

Turcotte grabbed the puck near the Buffalo blue line and flipped it between the legs of a screened Dominik Hasek to give Hartford a much-needed victory.

Tampa Bay 3, New Jersey 2--Roman Hamrlik scored his 12th goal, best among NHL defensemen, and rookie Cory Cross scored his first NHL goal as the Lightning kept its slim playoff hopes alive by beating the Devils at St. Petersburg, Fla.

Tampa Bay improved to 16-22-3, good for the 11th spot in the Eastern Conference. It was only the third victory in nine games for the Lightning.

St. Louis 4, Vancouver 1--Rookies Denis Chasse, Dave Roberts and Ian Laperriere scored first-period goals as the Blues beat the Canucks at St. Louis.

Goalie Jon Casey, subbing for the injured Curtis Joseph, shut out the Canucks for the final 59:27 to earn the victory.

New York Islanders 5, Quebec 2--Tommy Salo stopped 40 shots for his first NHL victory and Marty McInnis and Zigmund Palffy each had a goal and assist as the Islanders snapped a six-game home winless streak by beating the Nordiques.

The loss ended a five-game unbeaten streak for the Nordiques, but they still retain their top ranking in the Eastern Conference. It was only the third time the Islanders beat the Nordiques in their last 11 meetings (3-8-0).