Ovechkin helps Caps beat Bruins in shootout

WASHINGTON » Alex Ovechkin got his 24th goal of the season and then scored in the shootout to help the Washington Capitals beat the Boston Bruins 4-3 on Thursday night.

Lars Eller and Brett Connolly also scored for the Capitals, who snapped a three-game losing streak and won their 12th consecutive game over the Bruins. Washington also ended a scoring drought that had lasted almost nine full periods.

David Backes scored twice for the second time this season, but Boston lost for the third time in its last 12 games. Noel Acciari also scored for the Bruins.

Boston built a 2-0 lead before Washington registered its first shot of the game, and also led 3-2 in the third. LIGHTNING 3, CANADIENS 1 » Steven Stamkos scored twice, and the NHLleading Lightning earned their 10th win in 11 games.

Brayden Point got the tiebreaking goal in the third and Andrei Vasilevskiy made 31 saves as Tampa Bay picked up its eighth consecutive victory at home.

Rangers’ Kreider sidelined by blood clot in arm

NEW YORK » New York Rangers forward Chris Kreider is sidelined indefinitely with a blood clot in his right arm.

This season, in 37 games, the speedy and rugged Kreider has 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points.

Senators’ Claesson suspended 2 games for check to head

NEW YORK » The NHL has suspended Ottawa Senators defenseman Fredrik Claesson for two games for an illegal check to the head of Boston’s Noel Acciari.

Claesson was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct for a check to Acciari’s head in the opening period of Ottawa’s 5-1 loss at Boston on Wednesday.

Jets’ Scheifele out

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA » Winnipeg Jets top-line center Mark Scheifele will miss 6 to 8 weeks with an upper-body injury.

Scheifele was hurt Wednesday after taking a hit from the Oilers’ Brandon Davidson.