NHL ROUNDUP : Edmonton, Ranford Stop Hartford, 3-1

Bill Ranford, coming off from a strained hamstring, made 35 saves and the Edmonton Oilers won their sixth consecutive game, beating the Hartford Whalers, 3-1, Thursday night at Hartford, Conn.

The victory moved the Oilers into a three-way tie for second place in the Kings and Winnipeg Jets in the Campbell Conference.

The Whalers tested Ranford, who signed a three-year contract Tuesday, outshooting Edmonton 36-20.

The Oilers took a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by Louie DeBrusk and David Maley.

Just 10 seconds after Maley’s goal, Hartford’s Pat Verbeek made it 2-1 when he knocked in a rebound after Ranford stopped Yvon Corriveau’s shot.

Edmonton scored its final goal at 7:39 of the third period on Dave Manson’s slap shot. The puck hit the post, bounced across the crease, hit Whitmore’s glove and trickled into the goal.

Minnesota 6, Winnipeg 1--Ulf Dahlen had a goal and three assists as the North Stars snapped the Jets’ five-game unbeaten streak at Minneapolis.

The North Stars scored four goals against Bob Essensa, who entered the game with an NHL-best .921 save percentage and was pulled after the second period.

Mike Modano had two goals and an assist and Dave Gagner added a goal and two assists for the North Stars.

St. Louis 4, Boston 0--Defenseman Jeff Brown had a goal and two assists and Curtis Joseph recorded the second shutout of his NHL career as the Blues spoiled Adam Oates’ return as a member of the Bruins at St. Louis.

Oates, who leads the league with 63 assists, was traded to Boston a week ago for Craig Janney and Stephane Quintal after a long contract squabble. Oates was booed throughout the game.

Philadelphia 3, Quebec 2--Mark Freer’s goal at 2:27 of the third period at Philadelphia lifted the Flyers past the Nordiques, who remained winless in 27 road games this season.

Quebec is 0-22-5 on the road this season and has just one win in its last 11 games (1-9-1).

New Jersey 5, Vancouver 3--Chris Terreri stopped 26 shots and picked up an assist while stretching his unbeaten streak to a club-record eight games as the Devils downed the Canucks at East Rutherford, N.J.

The Devils won their third straight game and handed the Smythe Division-leading Canucks their fourth consecutive defeat.

Washington 4, Calgary 4--Al Iafrate scored with 3:03 left in regulation to get the Capitals even with the Flames at Calgary.

John Druce had two goals for Washington and Joe Nieuwendyk scored twice for Calgary, which blew a 4-2 lead.