NHL Playoffs Roundup : Montreal and Washington Post Easy Victories

In the Stanley Cup playoffs, teams usually look to their veterans for leadership. But the Montreal Canadiens tossed that notion aside Monday night at Hartford, Conn.

Four rookies--Kjell Dahlin, Stephane Richer, Claude Lemieux and goaltender Patrick Roy--led the Canadiens to a 4-1 victory over the Hartford Whalers and a one-game advantage in their NHL Adams Division final series.

Roy stopped 20 shots to lead a solid defensive effort and Dahlin, Richer and Lemieux each scored a goal as the Canadiens won their second straight game against the Whalers. The best-of-seven series continues in Hartford Wednesday with Montreal ahead, 2-1.

It was the first time the Whalers have lost two consecutive games since March 1 at the tail end of their worst slump of the regular season.

The Canadiens’ defense continually frustrated Hartford, which was the highest-scoring team in the Adams Division during the regular season. Roy proved equal to all but one of the Whalers few quality opportunities.

“I have to give the credit to my defense,” said Roy, a 20-year-old whose goals-against average in the playoffs dipped below 2.00. “We need that performance from everybody if we are going to beat the Whalers.”

Washington 6, N.Y. Rangers 3--Bob Carpenter and John Barrett scored two goals each and Mike Gartner added four points at New York to send the Capitals to their second straight win over the Rangers and a 2-1 lead in their playoff series.

Washington goalie Pete Peeters made 39 saves and was not scored on until early in the third period when Washington led, 4-0. The Rangers outshot the Capitals, 42-28, including 18-8 in the third period.