Capitals set new franchise record with 4-2 victory over Avalanche
Alex Ovechkin scored in a three-goal second period as the Washington Capitals won their franchise-record 55th game of the season by beating the Colorado Avalanche 4-2 on Friday night.
Jay Beagle, Ovechkin and Jason Chimera all had goals within a 5:26 span to help Braden Holtby notch his 47th victory of the season. The Capitals goaltender is one away from matching Martin Brodeur’s mark for most wins in a single season.
The loss was costly for the Avalanche, who trail Minnesota by five points for the last play-off spot in the Western Conference.
Colorado couldn’t capitalise after Minnesota lost 3-2 at Detroit earlier in the night, with Riley Sheahan leading the Red Wings with a goal and an assist.
Detroit entered one point behind Boston for third place in the Atlantic Division, while Minnesota came in with a five-point wild-card lead on Colorado.
Dylan Larkin scored on a power play in the first period before Tomas Tatar put Detroit up 2-0 2:32 into the second period.
After Jonas Brodin scored for Minnesota with 4:18 left in the second, Sheahan got his goal 2:08 into the third. Mikael Granlund scored for the Wild 9:43 into the third.
In St Louis, David Krejci had two goals and two assists as the Boston Bruins snapped out of a scoring funk to beat the Blues 6-5 and hang onto third place in the Atlantic Division.
Loui Eriksson got his 500th career point with a goal and an assist and Patrice Bergeron scored his 30th this season for the Bruins, who totalled 10 goals while dropping six of their previous seven games. They’re a point ahead of Detroit with four games remaining.
Paul Stastny had a goal and an assist and Alexander Steen and David Backes each had two assists for the Blues. The Blues are second overall in the Western Conference with 101 points and have four games to go.
In Winnipeg, Brent Seabrook scored 1:02 into overtime after Artemi Panarin tied it late in the third period with his second goal of the game as Chicago beat the Jets 5-4 in overtime.
Panarin also had two assists, including orchestrating a 2-on-1 with Seabrook in overtime. Panarin passed across the slot to the defenceman, and Seabrook beat Ondrej Pavelec with a shot inside the near post.
Patrick Kane and Brandon Mashinter also scored for the Blackhawks, who sneaked away winners in a game with four lead changes.