NHL ROUNDUP : Hawerchuk Joins Elite Assist Leaders as Sabres Win, 5-3

Dale Hawerchuk had the best of both worlds Wednesday in Hartford, where he had two assists to become the 14th player in NHL history to reach 800 in his career and help the Buffalo Sabres beat the Whalers, 5-3, to get a little breathing space in the playoff race.

Buffalo has 62 points, good for sixth in the East and two points ahead of Florida.

“Every night is a battle and because it’s do or die, that’s really good for us,� Hawerchuk said. “The last couple of years we’ve had a playoff berth locked up with a month or so to go, but this year, you have to be at the top of your game every night.�

Hawerchuk assisted on Yuri Khmylev’s goal, which snapped a 2-2 tie at 6:30 of the second period. The milestone came on Donald Audette’s power-play goal that completed the scoring with 7:45 to play.

Hawerchuk has 1,273 points in 1,006 games. Boston 3, Dallas 0--Jon Casey turned aside 26 shots by his former teammates at Dallas to earn his third shutout in his last eight games.

Cam Neely, playing in his 37th game, scored his 42nd goal of the season and the Bruins, 4-0-1 in their last five games, moved into sole possession of first place in the Northeast Division, two points ahead of idle Montreal. Detroit 7, Florida 3--Ray Sheppard and Steve Chiasson scored two goals apiece for the Red Wings in Florida’s first trip to Detroit.

Florida’s Eldon Reddick made his first start in goal since the 1990-91 season, facing 34 shots.