Sabres, Hasek Blank Devils

Dominik Hasek had 32 saves and the streaking Buffalo Sabres moved a little closer to a playoff berth by beating the struggling New Jersey Devils, 5-0, on Thursday night at East Rutherford, N.J.

Doug Gilmour had three assists and Curtis Brown scored twice as the Sabres remained tied with Montreal for the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.

Montreal 5, Tampa Bay 1--Patrice Brisebois scored twice and the Canadiens kept pace with Buffalo with a victory at Montreal.

If the Canadiens and Sabres end the season tied in points and wins, the playoff spot will be decided by goal differential.

Philadelphia 3, Atlanta 1--John Vanbiesbrouck held off Atlanta’s third-period rally as the Flyers escaped with a victory over the expansion Thrashers at Philadelphia.

New York Islanders 2, Ottawa 1--Rookie goaltender Stephen Valiquette stopped 45 shots, while Mariusz Czerkawski and Brad Isbister scored for the Islanders at Kanata, Canada.

Around the League

Ottawa goalie Tom Barrasso has a bruised left index finger--not broken as first feared--and will be ready for the playoffs. . . . St. Louis goalie Grant Fuhr says he will retire at the end of the season, bringing an end to his 18-year NHL career.