NHL Roundup : Flyers Add to Lead With a Win Over the Rangers, 4-2

Mark Howe scored the go-ahead goal at 4:27 of the final period and the Philadelphia Flyers beat the New York Rangers, 4-2, Saturday to pad their Wales Conference lead.

The victory was the sixth in a row for the Flyers, who lead Washington by three points heading into a game with the Capitals today at Landover, Md.

The Rangers tied the game, 3-3, on Larry Melnyk’s goal at 3:33 of the third period before Howe scored his game-winner. Ron Sutter gave the Flyers some breathing room with a goal at 14:01.

N.Y. Islanders 3, Boston 3--Brent Sutter scored with 2:01 left in regulation as the Islanders pulled even with the Bruins and escaped Boston with a standoff.

The tie moved Boston three points ahead of Buffalo and five ahead of Hartford in the struggle for the last two playoff spots in the Adams Division. The Bruins have a five-game unbeaten streak.

St. Louis 3, Montreal 2--Defenseman Jim Pavese scored two goals at St. Louis and the Blues handed the Canadiens their fifth straight defeat.

St. Louis beat Montreal at home for the first time since Oct. 21, 1980, and moved past Minnesota into second place of the Norris Division.

Vancouver 6, Minnesota 2--Petri Skriko scored two goals in the first period the Canucks turned back the North Stars at Vancouver for their first victory in March.

It was the first win in 10 games and only the second in 20 for Vancouver, which is tied with the Kings for the final playoff spot in the Smythe Division with 51 points.

New Jersey 6, Toronto 3--Paul Gagne and Jan Ludvig scored in the third period to carry the Devils past the Maple Leafs at Toronto.

Toronto trailed, 3-0, before goals by Al Iafrate and Rick Vaive in the first minute of the third period.

Pittsburgh 7, Quebec 4--Mario Lemieux scored his 47th and 48th goals and the Penguins strengthened their playoff position by beating the Nordiques at Quebec.

The victory moved Pittsburgh three points ahead of the New York Rangers in the fight for the final playoff spot in the Patrick Division.

Detroit 8, Chicago 4--Petr Klima scored three goals and Adam Oates added two at Detroit and the Red Wings handed the Blackhawks their fifth defeat in seven games.

Oates scored his goals in the first period, when Detroit scored four times en route to snapping a four-game losing streak.