Potvin Does a Hasek, and Maple Leafs Win

While Buffalo’s Dominik Hasek was setting a new standard for goalies while playing for Czech Republic at the Olympics, Toronto’s Felix Potvin was fishing in Quebec.

The rest did him good.

Potvin stopped 32 shots Saturday night to lead the Maple Leafs to a 2-1 victory over Calgary at Toronto, and his coach, Mike Murphy, paid him what has become the ultimate NHL accolade.

“That was a Dominik Hasek-type performance out there,” Murphy said. “We had no business winning that game tonight; Felix Potvin won it for us.”

Combined with Chicago’s 1-0 loss to Tampa Bay, the win put the Maple Leafs only three points behind the Blackhawks for the final playoff spot in the West.

Pittsburgh 2, Buffalo 1--Goalie Tom Barrasso had 37 saves, including two against a two-man advantage in the last minute, and the Penguins won to stop Buffalo’s unbeaten streak on the road at eight games (6-0-2).

Montreal 4, New Jersey 2--Mark Recchi’s first two goals since January helped the Canadiens win at Montreal and end New Jersey’s unbeaten streak at 13 games.

Ottawa 4, Washington 0--Daniel Alfredsson scored two goals and Ron Tugnutt stopped 35 shots for his third shutout for the Senators, who won at Kanata, Canada.

San Jose 2, Carolina 1--Goalie Mike Vernon won for the 324th time and the Sharks got a power-play goal from Bill Houlder that broke a 1-1 tie at Greensboro, N.C.

Vancouver 6, New York Islanders 2--Todd Bertuzzi, sent to the Canucks last month in a trade involving the captains of both teams, scored for New York during a three-goal second period in a win at Uniondale, N.Y.

Tampa Bay 1, Chicago 0--Mark Fitzpatrick had 37 saves and Alex Selivanov scored the game’s only goal at Tampa, leading the Lightning to a win over Chicago.

Boston 5, New York Rangers 1--Dmitri Khristich scored twice and assisted on three assists on goals by Jason Allison for the Bruins in a win at Boston.

Philadelphia 6, Detroit 1--Alexandre Daigle scored three goals for the Flyers, who won at Philadelphia and ended an eight-game winless streak against Detroit.

Phoenix 2, St. Louis 0--Backup goalie Jimmy Waite had 24 saves for the Coyotes, who ended St. Louis’ home unbeaten streak at seven games.