NHL Roundup : Hextall Stops 28 Shots as Flyers Top Rangers

Rick Tocchet and Brian Propp both scored goals and goalie Ron Hextall saved 28 of 29 shots, lifting the Philadelphia Flyers to a 2-1 victory over the Rangers Sunday night at New York.

With the win, the Flyers (23-17-6) continued their recent mastery over the Rangers at Madison Square Garden, where they have an 11-2-1 record in their last 14 games.

The victory improved the Flyers’ lead in the Patrick Division to three points over the New York Islanders, who lost to Buffalo, 5-2, Sunday night.

Propp scored from the low slot midway through the first period to give the Flyers a 1-0 lead.

Walt Poddubny’s wrap-around shot at 7:09 of the second period tied the game for the Rangers (17-24-6). Tocchet then made the game-winner at 13:54, shooting from just outside the crease during a scramble in front of the goal. It was Tocchet’s 14th goal of the season.

The loss extended the Rangers’ current winless streak to six games (0-5-1).

Philadelphia defenseman Dave Brown, eligible to face the Rangers for the first time since the highly publicized slashing incident against Rangers forward Tomas Sandstrom on Oct. 26, missed the game because of an aggravated sprained wrist. Brown had been suspended for 13 games, including two against the Rangers.

Vancouver 6, Winnipeg 5--Dave Saunders scored a wrap-around goal with less than three minutes remaining at Winnipeg to lift the Canucks within two points of the third-place Jets in the Smythe division.

Ray Newfeld had pulled the Jets even at 5-5 with a power-play goal after Stan Smyl had given the Canucks a 4-3 lead with his second power-play goal of the game.

With the win, Vancouver improves to 16-24-7, three points behind third-place Winnipeg (18-20-6).

Buffalo 5, New York Islanders 2--Scott Arniel scored two goals--both on backhanders over Islanders goalie Billy Smith--as the Sabres ended a two-game losing streak at Buffalo.

Arniel, who had scored only eight goals this season, got both goals in the third period. Dave Andreychuk, Mike Donnelly and Christian Ruuttu also scored for Buffalo (20-19-7).

Brent Sutter and Dale Henry scored for the Islanders (22-17-5), who had a two-game winning streak stopped.

Chicago 5, Washington 4--Denis Savard recorded the 10th hat trick of his career in leading the Black Hawks to the victory at Chicago.

Chicago led, 4-2, before Garry Galley and Dale Hunter scored twice in 31 seconds for the Capitals (21-21-5) midway through the third period.

Savard scored the last of his three goals at 17:45 of the third period, skating around the net and then beating goalie Clint Malarchuk to the left.

With the win, Chicago (19-24-3) moved into a second-place tie with St. Louis in the Norris Division.