On Target for 60, Detroit Withstands an Avalanche

Detroit has the most points in the NHL, and Colorado is tied for second, but the difference between the Red Wings and Avalanche is wider than merely a place in the standings.

Detroit’s Paul Coffey and Darren McCarty scored early goals and the Red Wings hung on to win, 4-2, at Denver to stretch their points lead to 18.

They also stayed on a pace to break an NHL record of 60 victories in a season, set by the 1976-77 Montreal Canadiens. Detroit has won 49 games, including nine of its last 10 and its last five in a row on the road.

Hartford 7, Toronto 4--Geoff Sanderson and Andrei Nikolishin scored two goals apiece at Hartford for the Whalers, who extended Toronto’s winless streak to 10 games (0-9-1).

Edmonton 4, San Jose 2--Zdeno Ciger and Scott Arnott scored just over a minute apart in the second period, lifting the Oilers at Edmonton.

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NHL Notes

The Florida Panthers confirmed Home Shopping Network founder Bud Paxson and South Florida partner Bruce Frey had offered to buy the team from owner Wayne Huizenga for $85 million.