You can't take anything away from the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings - even though each is missing a top player.
Despite having Mario Lemieux out with a bad back, the Penguins have moved to the top of the NHL's Northeast Division. On Tuesday night, they beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 8-3 and took over sole possession of first.With Steve Yzerman out with a neck injury, the Red Wings have nevertheless won eight straight at home, including Tuesday night's 5-1 victory over Chicago.
Mike Ramsey and Rick Tocchet scored 35 seconds apart to start a five-goal second period that carried the Penguins. Joe Mullen had two goals and Bryan Trottier three assists, moving him within two of 900 for his career.
Red Wings 5, Blackhawks 1
Sergei Fedorov had two goals and an assist as the Red Wings beat the Blackhawks.
The three-point night gave Fedorov 58 for the season, one shy of NHL scoring leader Wayne Gretzky.
Capitals 4, Flyers 1
Dimitri Khristich had a goal and an assist as the Capitals defeated the Flyers.
The Flyers, who entered the game tied for second in the NHL in goals, have managed just 13 goals in their last eight games.
Senators 2, Nordiques 1
The Senators scored twice in the opening 10 minutes on goals by Brad Shaw and Alexei Yashin and went on to beat the Nordiques.
The luckless Nordiques hit the goal posts four times, miscued on a host of other chances and were robbed by Senators goaltender Craig Billington on numerous occasions as they lost for just the fourth time in 11 games.
Canucks 6, Oilers 3
Murray Craven scored twice and Gino Odjick scored the go-ahead goal in the second period as the Canucks defeated the Oilers.
Craven opened scoring in the first period and added an insurance goal in the third.