Janney Gets Back in Playoff Race With the Jets

At first, Craig Janney had to wonder what he had gotten into. In going from San Jose to Winnipeg in a trade Monday, he had moved up five spots in the standings, from last in the West to eighth, the final playoff spot.

Then the Jets lost the first game he played for them, and, worse, to San Jose, and, worse yet, played like the Sharks in the process.

Friday night, order was restored for both the Jets and Janney. He scored two goals and added two assists, giving him a hand in all four goals of a 4-1 victory over Philadelphia at Winnipeg.

The Jets’ winless streak was snapped at six games and they remained a point ahead of the streaking Mighty Ducks.

Keith Tkachuk had a power-play goal and three assists for Winnipeg.

“This was a big win for us and all 20 guys came through tonight,” Janney said. “Keith certainly set the tone tonight. It was a great effort and a great win. It’s fun to win.”

It’s fun he wasn’t used to with the Sharks.

Detroit 7, Colorado 0--Keith Primeau had a goal and two assists, goalie Mike Vernon faced only 15 shots in his third shutout of the season and the Red Wings scored three short-handed goals to clinch the President’s Trophy, given to the team with the best regular-season record.

Montreal 4, Buffalo 1--Pierre Turgeon scored two goals and set up another for the Canadiens, who won their fourth in a row, at Montreal

Turgeon, who played for the Sabres from 1987-92, opened the scoring in the first period and had an assist on Vincent Damphousse’s goal in the second period that turned out to the the game-winner.

The Canadiens, 6-0-1 in their last seven games, moved three points ahead of idle Boston (80-77) for fifth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Chicago 4, New Jersey 2--James Black scored his first goal in two seasons in helping the Blackhawks to victory in East Rutherford, N.J.

Hartford 1, Ottawa 1--Andrew Cassels scored at 12:23 of the third period to give Hartford a 1-1 tie at Ottawa.

San Jose 2, Calgary 1--Owen Nolan scored 69 seconds into overtime, lifting the Sharks at Calgary.

Nolan flipped in a puck from the crease area after Calgary goalie Rick Tabaracci failed to cover the rebound of a shot by Doug Bodger at 1:09 of the extra period.

Jan Caloun scored for San Jose. Bob Sweeney scored for Calgary.

Vancouver 5, Dallas 2--Cliff Ronning and Bret Hedican had a goal and an assist apiece for the Canucks, who snapped a six-game losing streak, at Vancouver.

Backup goaltender Corey Hirsch turned in an outstanding game, stopping 37 shots. Jyrki Lumme also scored for the Canucks. Guy Carbonneau and Mike Modano scored for the Stars.