UNDATED (AP) — The Washington Capitals continue to pace the NHL’s East Division by two points over Boston following road victories by each team in the New York-metropolitan area.
The Capitals picked up their third straight win as Alex Ovechkin snapped a 2-2 tie late in the second period of a 3-2 victory and a weekend sweep at New Jersey. Ovechkin had just one goal in his previous eight games before sending the Caps to their sixth victory in eight games.
Ilya Samsonov stopped 19 shots in his first start since Jan. 17 due to COVID-19.
The Bruins kept pace as Charlie Coyle scored the first and last goals of a 4-1 verdict over the Rangers. Charlie McAvoy added a goal and an assist for the B’s, who dropped their previous two games by a combined 13-4 before limiting the Blueshirts to 21 shots.
Trent Frederic also scored and Tuukka Rask stopped 20 shots for Boston.
Elsewhere on NHL ice:
— The Penguins had won six of eight before being shut out for the first time this season, 2-0 by the Islanders. Oliver Wahlstrom and Jean-Gabriel Pageau each scored power-play goals and rookie Ilya Sorokin made 20 saves in earning his second consecutive shutout.
— The Flyers posted their second straight shutout of the Sabres as Carter Hart stopped 28 shots in a 3-0 victory. Sean Couturier and Michael Raffl broke the game open by scoring 75 seconds apart early in the second period.
— The Blackhawks coasted to a 7-2 win over the Red Wings as Patrick Kane scored his 400th career goal, Kevin Lankinen made a career-high 44 saves. Kane also set up a pair of scores, Ryan Carpenter tallied twice and Alex DeBrincat collected a goal and three assists in Chicago’s third win in four games.
— Columbus dropped its fifth in a row as Nick Cousins, Eeli Tolvanen and Erik Haula scored in the Predators’ fourth win in five games, 3-1 over the Blue Jackets. Roman Josi had two assists and Juuse Saros turned back 28 shots for the winners.
