Canucks Latest to Feel Bedeviled

Patrik Elias scored two goals and the New Jersey Devils tied the NHL’s fourth-longest winning streak by defeating the Vancouver Canucks, 4-0, on Friday night for their 13th consecutive victory.

The streak matches the Boston Bruins in 1971 and Philadelphia Flyers in 1985, and moved the Devils within four of tying the league record set by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1993.

John Vanbiesbrouck had 23 saves at East Rutherford, N.J., as the Devils posted their second consecutive shutout. The shutout also was the second of the season and 40th of his career for Vanbiesbrouck, who was acquired earlier this month from the New York Islanders.

Pittsburgh will get a chance to end the run in New Jersey on Sunday, when the Devils have a shot at tying the NHL’s third-longest streak, a 14-game run by the Bruins in the 1929-30 season.

Dallas 2, New York Islanders 1--Brett Hull scored the tiebreaking goal late in the second period to lead the Stars to a victory over the Islanders at Dallas.

Carolina 5, Pittsburgh 3--Sami Kapanen scored two goals and Ron Francis had three assists to lead the Hurricanes to their season-high fourth consecutive victory at Raleigh, N.C.

Florida 4, Washington 1--Pavel Bure scored twice to extend his goal-scoring streak to seven games at Sunrise, Fla., as the Panthers handed the Capitals their fifth consecutive loss.

Around the League

Peter Forsberg, the Colorado Avalanche’s second-leading scorer, has a bruised right arm but might play today when the Avalanche visit Boston in Ray Bourque’s homecoming game. Bourque spent 21 seasons with the Bruins before being traded to Colorado a year ago. . . . Goaltender Ed Belfour has a stiff back, prompting the Dallas Stars to recall Chad Alban from the minor leagues. . . . St. Louis Blues’ forward Tyson Nash will sit out the rest of the season after re-injuring his right knee in Thursday night’s 3-1 loss to Colorado.