NHL ROUNDUP : Hextall Rounding Back Into Form

Three years ago, goaltenders Ron Hextall, Grant Fuhr and Tom Barrasso were all in their prime.

Last season was a disaster for all three, mainly because of injuries. Early this season, all were out of action.

Fuhr, who led the Edmonton Oilers to several Stanley Cups, was suspended a year because of drug use.

Hextall suffered a series of injuries.

Barrasso had injuries and a slump setting him back.

Barrasso was the first to return to form and he has helped turn Pittsburgh into a contender in the Patrick Division.

It has been a slow, tough fight for Hextall, 26. He played only eight games last season and missed most of the first half of this one with knee, ankle and back problems.

Hextall at last appears to be nearing his best form and the Philadelphia Flyers are moving into contention in the Patrick race.

Hextall turned in a powerful performance Saturday night at Boston and the Flyers responded with a 3-1 victory over the Adams Division leaders.

Defenseman Terry Carkner scored two goals for the first time to pace the Flyers.

A large number of Hextall’s 25 saves were difficult ones, as he showed his old form.

“It was pretty frustrating,� Hextall said, “but I knew I would make it back. It has taken a long time, but I finally have gotten all my strength back. I can’t remember the last time I felt so strong.�

Edmonton 5, New Jersey 4--Halfway through the third period at East Rutherford, N.J., the Oilers trailed, 4-2, and appeared to be on their way to their third loss in a row.

But Craig Simpson and Craig MacTavish scored less than two minutes apart to send the game into overtime and Steve Smith scored on a power play 56 seconds into the extra period and the Oilers handed the Devils their fifth defeat in a row.

Buffalo 5, Minnesota 3--Doug Bodger and Alexander Mogilny scored goals 2:20 apart in the middle of the third period at Bloomington, Minn., to bring the Sabres from a one-goal deficit to a victory.

Dale Hawerchuk also scored for the Sabres, who are 6-1-3 in their past 10 games. Hawerchuk has 25 points in the past 19 games.

Montreal 4, Washington 1--Brian Skrudland had a goal and an assist at Montreal to lead the Canadiens to their fifth victory in a row.

The Canadiens moved to within a point of first place in the Adams Division.

New York Islanders 2, Detroit 2--Yves Racine’s fluke goal with 2:57 left in regulation at Uniondale, N.Y., cost the Islanders a hard-earned victory.

The Red Wing forward was trying to make a centering pass, but the puck hit the skate of Islander defenseman Gary Nylund and caromed into the net.

St. Louis 4, Quebec 4--Former Quebec defenseman Jeff Brown scored a short-handed goal with 4:20 left in regulation at Quebec to give the Blues a tie.

The Nordiques built a 4-2 lead before Brown scored late in the second period to make it a one-goal game.

Toronto 2, Hartford 2--Former King Mike Krushelnyski scored with 7:12 left at Toronto to get the Maple Leafs even.