NHL ROUNDUP : Makarov Has Spark for Flames

Persistence paid off for Calgary’s Sergei Makarov.

Makarov hit the post with a shot and then was robbed by Edmonton goalie Bill Ranford in the first few minutes, but came back with a goal and an assist to lead the Flames to a 6-3 victory over the Oilers Monday night at Calgary.

Calgary, which moved to within five points of the Smythe Division-leading Kings, increased its unbeaten streak against the Oilers to six games (5-0-1) since last January.

Makarov’s early aggression set the pace as the Flames fired 15 shots at Ranford during the opening period. After Paul Ranford scored to give the Flames a 1-0 lead, Makarov’s rush set up a goal by Gary Roberts.

At at 7:10 of the second period, Makarov’s goal gave Calgary a 3-0 lead.

Washington 6, Ottawa 5--Mike Ridley and Kelly Miller each had a goal and two assists as the Capitals held off a three-goal surge by the Senators at Ottawa.

The Capitals won for the fourth consecutive game and seventh in the last nine.

Sylvain Turgeon had two goals for Ottawa, which trailed by 4-0 and 6-2 before scoring three times in the final 14 minutes.

The defeat ended the Senators’ first two-game unbeaten streak and left them with a 3-24-2 record.

Quebec 4, Buffalo 3--Joe Sakic had two goals and Mats Sundin extended his point streak to 29 games with two assists as the Nordiques ended a four-game losing streak by beating the Sabres at Quebec.

The Sabres, winless in their last four games, were denied the tying goal with 4:19 to play when referee Terry Gregson consulted a video replay and determined that Dave Andreychuck’s shot did not cross the goal line before Quebec goaltender Ron Hextall covered the puck with his blocker.

N.Y. Islanders 6, Tampa Bay 1--Brian Mullen scored twice and goalie Glenn Healy stopped 26 shots as the Islanders defeated the Lightning at Tampa.

Tampa Bay, which lost its fourth in a row and ninth in 10 games, spoiled Healy’s shutout on Shawn Chambers’ goal with less than five minutes to play.

Vancouver 4, St. Louis 3--Dana Murzyn’s unassisted goal with 5:46 to play lifted the Canucks past the Blues at Vancouver.

Nelson Emerson’s second goal of the game at 6:43 of the third period got St. Louis even, 3-3.

The Canucks have won six of their last seven games and eight in a row at home.