NHL ROUNDUP : Blues’ Hull Gets No. 50 in 49th Game

Brett Hull became only the third NHL player to score 50 goals in fewer than 50 games, Friday night at Detroit.

Hull scored twice to lead the St. Louis Blues to a 9-4 victory over the Red Wings.

It took Hull 49 games to get 50. The players to do it previously were Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. Gretzky, who has done it three times, scored 50 goals in 39 games during the 1981-82 season.

Hull’s father, Bobby, never scored 50 goals in 50 games. Maurice Richard was first to do it in 1944-45; Mike Bossy (1980-81) also did it.

Both of Hull’s goals came when the Blues were on a five-minute power play. The first came with 1:46 left in the second period and increased the lead to 7-2. Then, 90 seconds into the final period, Hull got No. 50.

He took a pass from Adam Oates and sent a quick wrist shot past goalie Dave Gagnon, who was making his NHL debut.

Hull has scored four goals in his last two games despite a painful ankle injury. It was serious enough to force him to miss the All-Star game.

“It still hurts,� Hull said. “But I was not about to miss the opportunity to reach 50. I might never get another chance.

“It’s something to do something all those great players did. It’s amazing.�

Winnipeg 8, New York Islanders 1--Derek King ended Bob Essensa’s scoreless streak at Winnipeg, but not until the goalie set a Jet record for scoreless minutes.

Essensa, who had a shutout in his previous game, lost this shutout after 46 minutes. His streak was 141 minutes 29 seconds.

New York Rangers 4, Edmonton 3--The Rangers, riddled by injury, were in a slump and the Oilers were charging into contention in the Smythe Division.

The Rangers held off a late Oiler rally at Edmonton to end their four-game winless streak.

Minnesota 2, Washington 2--Dino Ciccarelli scored halfway through the last period at Landover, Md., to give the Capitals a tie.