Goals Achieved by the Red Wings in an 8-2 Victory

Martin Lapointe had a simple explanation for the Detroit Red Wings’ biggest offensive outburst of the season.

Lapointe scored a career-high three goals--including twice during a five-goal second period--leading the Red Wings past the New York Rangers, 8-2, Sunday at Detroit.

“We just kept firing the puck at the net and it went in,” Lapointe said. “It looks easy, but some nights the bounces are going your way. Tonight was one of those days.”

Detroit is five points behind St. Louis for first place in the Central Division.

The eight goals were the most scored by the Red Wings and most given up by the Rangers this season.

St. Louis 1, Chicago 1--Chris Pronger scored with 2:01 left in regulation at Chicago, enabling the Blues to stretch their unbeaten streak to six games (5-0-1).

St. Louis held the Blackhawks to a team record-tying 11 shots. Chicago also had only 11 shots in a 3-0 loss to St. Louis on Jan. 21.

Colorado 2, Dallas 1--Milan Hejduk’s goal with 1:43 left in overtime at Dallas enabled the Avalanche to extend their unbeaten string to seven games (6-0-1) and give them a four-point lead over Edmonton in the Northwest Division.

The Stars had their unbeaten streak stopped at six games. They have an 11-point lead over the second-place Kings in the Pacific Division.

Philadelphia 3, Pittsburgh 1--By winning at Philadelphia, the Flyers moved to within two points of Eastern Conference-leading New Jersey.

The Penguins played most of the game without Jaromir Jagr, who left because of a bruised upper back after getting checked from behind by Dan McGillis just 4:59 into the first period.

Montreal 3, Tampa Bay 1--Patrice Brisebois ended a 21-game goal-scoring drought with two third-period goals at Tampa, Fla., as the Canadiens moved into eighth place in the Eastern Conference. They moved one point ahead of Buffalo in the race for the Eastern Conference’s final postseason berth.

Carolina 4, New York Islanders 1--Gary Roberts and Robert Kron scored 1:40 apart in the second period at Raleigh, N.C., as the Hurricanes beat the Islanders for the eighth time in nine meetings. The Hurricanes outshot the Islanders, 49-10.

Around the League

Eric Lindros’ father said his son will not sue the Philadelphia Flyers for their failure to immediately diagnose a serious concussion. Lindros’ relationship with the Flyers worsened last week when he criticized the team’s medical staff for not recognizing his symptoms and allowing him to play four games after he was injured on March 4.