NHL ROUNDUP : Oilers Continue Their Rise as Red Wings Take Fall, 3-2

Timely saves by goaltender Bill Ranford and a third-period goal by Esa Tikkanen helped the Edmonton Oilers continue their climb up the Smythe Division ranks.

Tikkanen’s goal Friday night at Edmonton gave the Oilers a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings, moving the Oilers to within five points of the Kings and nine points of the division-leading Calgary Flames.

Tikkanen scored the game-winner--his 16th goal of the season--at 11:55 of the third period, stealing a pass from defenseman Steve Smith as he cruised through the slot, then beating Detroit goaltender Tim Cheveldae.

Former Oiler Jimmy Carson was hounded by his former teammates and the 17,212 fans in attendance for derogatory comments he made about his stint in Edmonton.

Buffalo 4, Winnipeg 1--Dale Hawerchuk had a goal and an assist against his former teammates as the Sabres won at Buffalo to extend their unbeaten streak to seven games.

Hawerchuk, who spent nine seasons with the Jets and was their all-time points leader with 379 goals and 550 assists in 713 games, was traded to Buffalo in the summer for defenseman Phil Housley. He scored the game’s first goal assisted on Rick Vaive’s goal in the second period.

Philadelphia 3, Washington 3--Dino Ciccarelli’s goal with 5:33 left at Washington gave the Capitals a tie to extend their unbeaten streak against the Flyers to eight games.

Kelly Miller had a goal and an assist and Mike Ridley added two assists to help the Capitals improve to 6-0-2 against their Patrick Division rivals since a 3-2 loss on Dec. 1, 1989.