NHL Roundup : Jets Win, 6-3, Strengthen Hold on Second Place

Laurie Boschman had a goal and three assists Tuesday night at East Rutherford, N.J., to lead the Winnipeg Jets to a 6-3 victory over New Jersey to strengthen their hold on second place in the Smythe Division.

The Jets, with 10 games remaining, lead Calgary by three points in the battle for home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Jets have built their lead on the road. They have won three in a row and five of their last six away from home.

“Right now we are playing well as a team,” Boschman said after his big game. “There aren’t that many games left and we’re hoping Calgary won’t be able to catch us.”

The Devils, who lost two in a row at home to the improved Jets, failed again to gain ground in their playoff bid. With 12 games remaining, they trail the fourth-place Rangers in the Patrick Division by five points.

Doug Smail scored twice for the Jets and Dale Hawerchuk scored his 43rd.

New York Islanders 6, St. Louis 5--Brent Sutter scored two goals and assisted on two others at St. Louis to become the fourth player in Islanders’ history to accumulate 100 points in a season.

Sutter scored twice in the second period when the Islanders collected five goals on just eight shots. The Blues had four goals in the period on 11 shots.

The Islanders, worst in the league at scoring on power plays, scored on all three chances in this one.