NHL ROUNDUP : Adams, McLean Lead Canucks Past Canadiens

A couple of weeks ago, the hottest teams in the NHL were the Montreal Canadiens and the Vancouver Canucks.

With the season less than one-third completed, the Canadiens were in the process of wrapping up the Adams Division. And the surprising Canucks were threatening to run away with the Smythe Division.

Now both are in a slump. Going into Wednesday night’s game at Montreal, the Canadiens had lost three in a row and the Canucks had lost five of their last seven and been scoreless in two games in a row.

Fortunately for Vancouver, left wing Greg Adams and goaltender Kirk McLean turned in spectacular games to halt the Canucks’ skid and lead them to a 3-0 victory.

Adams, who had two goals and assist in the Canucks’ previous victory Saturday night at home, had a hat trick. McLean, who gave up three goals in the last period in a 3-0 loss at Quebec Tuesday night, took charge all the way in this one.

McLean made one brilliant save after another, 45 in all and 18 in the first 20 minutes, to frustrate the Canadiens.

When Pavel Bure set up Adams for his first score at 16:50 of the first period it ended 138 scoreless minutes for the Canucks.

“We got beat by one man--Kirk McLean,” Montreal Coach Pat Burns said. “I can’t criticize my team for anything. They worked hard and had lots of chances. But we can’t buy a goal right now.”

Toronto 3, Hartford 0--Jeff Reese stopped 26 shots for the second shutout of his career.

Although he had not started in 10 games, Reese was sharp from the start to enable the Maple Leafs to extend their road unbeaten string to four games (3-0-1).

Glenn Anderson gave Reese his working margin with his third goal only 21 seconds after the opening faceoff.

Winnipeg 5, Buffalo 4--The Jets, keeping the pressure on Vancouver, wiped out a two-goal deficit in the third period at Winnipeg to stretch their unbeaten streak to eight games (7-0-1).

Troy Murray brought the Jets even with 5:06 left in regulation and, with 74 seconds left, set up Darrin Shannon with his fourth goal to win the game and stay four points out of first place.

Minnesota 5, St. Louis 2--Ulf Dahlen scored two goals at Minnesota to bring the North Stars from behind.

With 43 seconds left in the first period Dahlen scored the tying goal, his 13th. Half a minute into the second period, he scored again to give the North Stars the lead for good.