Rangers Start Off Fast, Richter Does the Rest

The New York Rangers got off to a good start, then for the most part left the rest to Mike Richter, who made 39 saves in a 5-2 victory over the Hartford Whalers on Monday night at New York.

“We are playing pretty solid hockey now,” Wayne Gretzky said. “Richter made some big saves and we just kind of took control of the game. It was pretty solid effort.”

The Rangers scored three times in the first period as they improved to 8-1-1 in their last 10 games.

Bill Berg scored an even-strength goal on the game’s first shot, Luc Robitaille on a power play and Adam Graves short-handed as the Rangers handed Richter a 3-0 lead after one period.

That’s all the offensive support Richter needed as he extended his unbeaten streak to eight games (7-0-1). The Rangers went over the .500 mark for the first time at 15-14-5.

Tampa Bay 4, Montreal 2--Rick Tabaracci made 22 saves and Mikael Andersson broke a 2-2 tie with two minutes left in the third period at Montreal as the Lightning remained unbeaten in five games.

Tabaracci stopped four breakaway opportunities. “Those always make it look bigger,” he said.

New Jersey 5, Calgary 0--Brian Rolston scored two goals 3:38 apart in the second period and rookie goaltender Mike Dunham recorded his first NHL shutout as the Devils won at Calgary.

Dunham made 28 saves as the Devils remained unbeaten (3-0-1) in their last four games, and improved to 5-1-1 in their last seven.