NHL ROUNDUP : Jets and Essensa Keep Penguins in Rut, 4-0

The Pittsburgh Penguins are beginning to think everyone is against them.

When they lost to Washington Sunday, they blamed referee Ron Hoggarth for doing a terrible job of officiating and letting the Capitals break all the rules.

There were more problems Tuesday night on their home ice.

First, there was Winnipeg goaltender Bob Essensa, who stopped 38 shots and led the Jets to a 4-0 victory, his fourth shutout of the season.

Then there was an injury to Penguin star Mario Lemieux. Lemieux, most critical of Hoggarth Sunday, left after one period with more back trouble. He has already missed seven games this month with the injury.

Lemieux, in a rare tirade, accused the NHL of being a “garbage league” that would never attract a major TV network.

He was especially upset because linemate Jaromir Jagr was given a 10-day suspension for bumping into Hoggarth.

“The NHL is out of hand,” Lemieux said. “Players draw short suspensions for serious stick violations, but Jagr was given a ridiculous ban for accidentally bumping an official. They ignore blatant holding, hooking and interference violations.”

The Penguins had 18 shots at Essensa in the first period and wasted six power-play chances.

After a scoreless first period, Darrin Shannon gave Essensa the goal he needed on a power play in the second period.

Boston 4, Quebec 2--Players from Eastern Europe are having a major impact this season.

The latest to impress is Vladimir Ruzicka of Czechoslovakia. In his third NHL season, the 28-year-old center scored the tiebreaking goal at Quebec with a bit more than six minutes remaining, then completed the scoring with an empty-net goal.

Ruzicka had the winning goal Monday night against Minnesota with 3:06 left. He has eight goals in his last eight games.

Minnesota 4, Hartford 3--The Whalers built a 3-0 lead in less than 12 minutes. It wasn’t enough, even at home.

The North Stars capped their rally by scoring on Neal Broten’s shorthanded goal with eight minutes left.

Philadelphia 3, Washington 2--Pat Murray’s first goal of the season in the first period at Philadelphia helped the Flyers end a four-game losing streak.

Flyer goalie Ron Hextall faced three shots in the first period and only 15 in the game.

Edmonton 5, Vancouver 3--Former King Bernie Nicholls scored the tiebreaking goal during a power play early in the second period at Vancouver and the Oilers went on to end the Canucks’ five-game winning streak.

N.Y. Rangers 4, San Jose 2--The Rangers had a 3-0 lead and held on to win behind the steady goaltending of John Vanbiesbrouck.

Sergei Nemchinov assisted on the first and last Ranger goals.