clarinews@clarinet.com (01/14/90)
UNIONDALE, N.Y. (UPI) -- Brent Sutter notched two goals and an assist Saturday night, his first breaking a tie at 18:22 of the second period, to lead the New York Islanders to a 4-2 victory over the Washington Capitals. The Islanders won their sixth game in a row and 11th of their last 12. The Capitals, playing without ace defensemen Rod Langway and Scott Stevens, have lost eight in a row. Sutter he picked up the rebound of a shot by David Volek, skated in front of goaltender Bob Mason and backhanded the puck from close range for a power-play goal. Doug Crossman, who had two assists, started the play with a pass from the blue line to Volek, who was stationed to the side of the Washington goal. Sutter's second goal pf the game and 19th of the season came into an empty net with 11 seconds to play. Washington outshot New York in the first period 16-12 and outscored them 2-0. Michal Pivonka scored at 15:00 with a 13-foot backhander that beat goaltender Mark Fitzpatrick high to the short side. Washington's second goal came at 19:26, when Kelly Miller deflected a 50-foot shot by Scot Kleinendorst past Fitzpatrick after Ron Murray had won a faceoff and passed back to the point. New York roared back with three second-period goals to take the lead. Alan Kerr scored a power-play goal on the rebound of a Crossman shot at 2:56. Patrick Flatley scored his 10th goal of the year at 9:00 by cashing the second rebound of a shot by Sutter. New York sniper Pat LaFontaine, who had scored a goal in 11 straight games and a point in his last 13, was held scoreless on two shots.