NHL ROUNDUP : Red Wings’ Federov Can Do It All, 4-1

Sergei Federov is trying to dispel the theory that hockey players from the Soviet Union are skilled on offense but liabilities on defense.

In recent games, the Detroit center did an outstanding job of defensing Wayne Gretzky and Pat LaFontaine, two of the best. But he showed the Chicago Blackhawks Tuesday night at Detroit that in sharpening his defense, he had not neglected his offense.

Federov scored a goal and assisted on the other three as the Red Wings took over first place in the Norris Division with a 4-1 victory.

Goaltender Tim Cheveldae stopped 31 shots but lost his shutout when the 32nd one, by Mike Peluso on a power play, eluded him.

“Anyone who thinks you have to sacrifice offense to work hard on defense is just wrong,” Detroit Coach Bryan Murray said. “Sergei plays great at both ends of the rink.”

After setting up the first two scores, Federov made the score 3-0 with his fourth goal late in the second period. Federov, 21, joined the Red Wings last season.

New York Rangers 4, Vancouver 3--Mark Messier had a hat trick at Vancouver, and the Rangers handed the Canucks only their fifth loss in 22 games.

Messier scored twice in the second period, then broke a 3-3 tie with his third goal five minutes into the final period.

The winning goal was Messier’s 400th.

New York Islanders 7, Minnesota 4--After the Islanders blew a 3-0 lead at Bloomington, Minn., and fell behind in the third period, center Benoit Hogue took charge.

He scored the tying goal on a power play at 10:55, then set up Wayne McBean for a short-handed goal with 6:14 left to put the Islanders in front to stay.

The Islanders, who won only three of their first 15 games, have won three in a row.