Quebec Nordiques

VS. QUEBEC NORDIQUES* WHEN: Tonight, 7:35.* WHERE: Le Colisee, Quebec City.* RADIO: WCAO-AM 600.* OUTLOOK: The red-hot Capitals (9-7) have won four in a row and seven of nine to draw within four points of the first-place New York Rangers (11-6) in the Patrick Division. Leading the team in points with 14 are right wing John Druce (seven goals, seven assists) and Kevin Hatcher (5 and 9), shaking off his rust from being a holdout. The woeful-but-improving Nordiques (3-9-3) are in last place in the Adams Division once again, but their youth has shown promise with All-Star Joe Sakic leading the team with nine goals and 13 assists and last year's overall No. 1 draft choice Mats Sundin chipping in with 12 points.

Basketball NBA -- Named Chicago Bulls F Scottie Pippen Player of the Week.Orlando Magic -- Activated F Anthony Cook from the injured list.CollegesACC -- Named Wake Forest G Randolph Childress men's basketball Player of the Week.Western New Mexico -- Announced that football coach Harold Wheeler will resign Saturday to accept the defensive coordinator's position at Northwest Louisiana.FootballChicago Bears -- Released WR Fred Banks.Denver Broncos -- Placed RB Rod Bernstine on IR. Signed WR Kitrick Taylor.

BasketballGolden State Warriors -- Re-signed G Bart Kofoed.Washington Bullets -- Moved G Ledell Eackles from five-day to indefinite suspended list.HockeyPhiladelphia Flyers -- Suspended D Kerry Huffman without pay for leaving team.Toronto Maple Leafs -- Traded F Scott Pearson (no points in 12 games) and second-round picks in the 1991 and 1992 entry drafts to the Quebec Nordiques for D Michel Petit (4 goals, 7 assists), RW Lucien DeBlois (2 goals, 2 assists) and C Aaron Broten (5 goals, 4 assists)

BaseballAtlanta Braves -- Optioned P David Nied to Triple-A Richmond. Sent P Armando Reynoso and P Tom McCarthy to minor-league camp for reassignment.Houston Astros -- Optioned P Mike Capel, P Chris Gardner, P Jeff Juden, P Brian Williams, and OF Karl Rhodes to Triple-A Tucson. Sent IF Rod Booker, IF Rick Parker and C Barry Lyons to minor-league camp for reassignment.Los Angeles Dodgers -- Named Pablo Peguero general manager of Campos Las Palmas in the Dominican Republic.Seattle Mariners -- Optioned P Jim Newlin, P Kerry Woodson to Triple-A Vancouver.

Opponent: Halifax CitadelsSite: Baltimore Arena, 7:30Radio: WITH (1230 AM)Tickets: Good seats available.Outlook: The Skipjacks will attempt to string 2 victories together before going on a road trip for 3 games. The Skipjacks will be without D Bobby Babcock (hand) and LW Steve Seftel (knee), who are injured. Coach Rob Laird will probably start Jim Hrivnak in goal. Hrivnak has been assigned to Baltimore by the Washington Capitals, and the Skipjacks goalie, Ollie Kolzig, has been sent to the Hampton Roads Admirals of the ECHL.

BaseballBoston Red Sox -- Announced that C Tony Pena will earn $2.2 million next season under the contract extension he agreed to Saturday.Milwaukee Brewers -- Gave first-year manager Phil Garner a one-year contract extension through the 1995 season.San Diego Padres -- Announced the contract of scout Dick Williams would not be renewed. Announced the resignation of scout Brad Sloan.BasketballDenver Nuggets -- Announced they will retire David Thompson's jersey No. 33 during ceremonies Nov. 7. He ranks third on the team's career scoring list with 11,992 points in 498 games.

BASKETBALL (NBA)Chicago Bulls -- Signed Mark Randall (forward) to a one-year contract.FOOTBALL (NFL)New York Giants -- Placed Erik Howard (nose tackle) on injured reserve. Signed Greg Meisner (nose tackle). Released Jerry Bouldin (wide reciever) from the practice squad.* San Francisco 49ers -- Placed Ron Lewis (wide receiver) on injured reserve. Re-signed Jim Burt (nose tackle).HOCKEY (NHL)Buffalo Sabres -- Assigned David Littman (goaltender), Peter Ciavaglia and Bob Corkum (centers) and Joel Savage and Jiri Sejba (forwards)

Opponent: Colorado AvalancheSite: USAir Arena, LandoverTime: 8:05TV/Radio: HTS/WTEM (570 AM), WWLG (1360 AM)Outlook: The Capitals (1-1) will be defensively challenged for the third straight game against the Avalanche (2-1-1), formerly the Quebec Nordiques, an offensive powerhouse that had the best record in the Eastern Conference last season. C Joe Sakic (four goals, three assists) and LW Valeri Kamensky (two goals, five assists) lead the attack that includes Owen Nolan, Peter Forsberg and Claude Lemieux, the Stanley Cup MVP. G Stephane Fiset (2-1-1 with a 2.43 goals-against average)

BASEBALL (NL) * Chicago Cubs -- Named Richie Zisk organizational hitting instructor.* Cincinnati Reds -- Activated Barry Larkin (shortstop) and Bill Doran (second baseman) from the 15-day disabled list.* Montreal Expos -- Fired Buck Rodgers (manager). Named Tom Runnells manager and Jerry Manuel third base coach. Named Pat Kelly manager for Indianapolis of the American Association.HOCKEY (NHL) * Minnesota North Stars -- Traded Kelly Kisio (center) to the San Jose Sharks for Shane Churla (right wing)