Bruins upended by Capitals

BOSTON » The Washington Capitals were so dominant this season that they had nothing left to play for with two games left in the NHL schedule.

That’s precisely why the Bruins want to avoid them in the playoffs.

“In retrospect, it’s over and we’re through it,” Boston forward David Backes said after finishing the regular season with back-toback losses, falling 3-1 to the Capitals on Saturday to set up a potential first-round matchup with Washington. “We did what we could through 82 games, and we can’t change it now.”

Kevin Shattenkirk scored the go-ahead goal 56 seconds after the Bruins tied it in the second period, and backup Philipp Grubauer made 21 saves for the Capitals. Marcus Johansson and Justin Williams also scored for Washington, which has won 10 of its last 11 games.

“We’ve kept working and trying to build our game for the playoffs,” said Johansson, whose Capitals have won the Presidents’ Trophy for the second straight year. “We have to keep trying to improve. We have another game tomorrow to do that, and then it’s `Go’ time.”

Toronto beat Pittsburgh on Saturday night, moving into a tie with Boston at 95 points; the Bruins hold the tiebreaker.

If the Maple Leafs earn a win or an overtime loss in their finale against Columbus on Sunday, they will open the playoffs at Ottawa, and Boston will be stuck with the Capitals. ISLANDERS 4, DEVILS 2 » At Newark, New Jersey, the New York Islanders have been eliminated from playoff contention despite running their winning streak to five games.

Roughly an hour after beating the New Jersey Devils 4-2, the Islanders’ playoff hopes were dashed when the Toronto Maple Leafs clinched the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference by rallying for a 5-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Islanders had kept their faint hopes alive by getting 37 saves from Jaroslav Halak and two goals from Anders Lee.

Adam Pelech and Jason Chimera also scored for the Islanders, who put their final run together with Halak in goal. He is 6-1-0 since being recalled from Bridgeport of the AHL on March 23. SENATORS 3, RANGERS 1 » At Ottawa, Ontario, the Ottawa Senators clinched second place in the Atlantic Division and homeice advantage in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The Senators’ postseason opponent remains unknown at this point, but they have the luxury of resting players for Sunday’s final regular-season game against the New York Islanders.

Mike Hoffman, Derick Brassard and Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored for the Senators. Craig Anderson made 18 saves.

Mike Zibanejad scored for New York. Henrik Lundqvist stopped 30 shots. The Rangers have lost back-to-back games. They have clinched the top wildcard spot in the East and will face the Montreal Canadiens in the playoffs.