SCORERS GET IT RIGHT THIS TIME

Four high-scoring forwards took much of the blame last season when the Edmonton Oilers squandered a 3-1 lead in games over the Los Angeles Kings in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. This season, thanks largely to two of those players, left wingers Craig Simpson and EsaTikkanen, the Oilers were able to eliminate the Kings in four games and advance to the Campbell Conference final. Simpson and Tikkanen, who were present in body only in last season’s playoffs, were tied for the team lead with eight goals in the playoffs. Also among the maligned from a year ago was right winger Glenn Anderson. While Anderson hadn’t been as productive as Simpson and Tikkanen, he was giving a much better effort this time around. Anderson’s goal in the 6-5 overtime win in Game…

ELSTON

THE NEW-HART SHOW

Eight months ago, the NHL appeared to be embarking on a rather predictable season. The Calgary Flames would win another Stanley Cup. Mario Lemieux would win another scoring title and Lemieux, Wayne Gretzky and Steve Yzerman would wage another spirited battle for the Hart Trophy. So much for predictability. The Flames played only six more games than the Quebec Nordiques, Lemieux was felled by a back injury that cut short a magnificent season and three other players emerged for MVP honors. It won’t be Lemieux, Gretzky and Yzerman in a close race for hockey’s most coveted individual award. But it will be Edmonton center Mark Messier and Boston defenseman Ray Bourque—and to a lesser extent St. Louis right winger Brett Hull—in a race almost too close to call. Nevertheless, the same wise men who…

FLAMES WERE ROBBED IN LOSS TO KINGS

The Los Angeles Kings defeated the Calgary Flames in the Smythe Division semifinal in a manner that was far from fair and square.’ Sure, the Kings had a great series but the bottom line is they won in controversy, something that has plagued the National Hockey League, especially in the playoffs. There is no doubt that the Flames’ goal in overtime, which was disallowed, was a legitimate goal. The NHL must opt for instant replay. But the stubborn attitude of the league’s board of governors is degrading the game. Andre Palai Fitchburg, Mass. JUSTICE SERVED Before all the Calgary Flames’ fans whine about the disallowed goal against the Los Angeles Kings in the Smythe Division semifinal, they should reflect on one thing. Last season when the Flames scored in overtime of Game 7 to win…