Capitals win, take lead in division
Predators’ Saros shuts out Wild
WASHINGTON — Nicklas Backstrom and John Carlson had a goal and two assists each, and Alex Ovechkin had three assists as the Washington Capitals beat the New Jersey Devils 5-2 on Saturday night to move atop the Metropolitan Division.
Braden Holtby stopped 25 shots as Washington won its eighth straight home game. Christian Djoos had a goal and an assist, and Tom Wilson and Matt Niskanen also scored for the Capitals.
New Jersey had gone eight games without a regulation loss. John Moore scored late in the first period and Travis Zajac midway through the third. Corey Schneider stopped 30 shots.
Marcus Johansson played in his first game as a visitor in Washington after seven seasons with the Capitals and assisted on both goals.
PREDATORS 3, WILD 0: In Nashville, Tenn., Juuse Saros made 29 saves for his second shutout this season and P.K. Subban scored his ninth goal as Nashville beat Minnesota.
Subban also had an assist, and Scott Hartnell and Viktor Arvidsson also scored. Calle Jarnkrok had two assists for the Predators, who have won two of three.
Alex Stalock made 26 saves as the Wild lost a night after beating Nashville in Minnesota.
PANTHERS 2, CANADIENS 0: In Sunrise, Fla., James Reimer stopped 37 shots for his second shutout in three games in Florida’s win over Montreal.
It’s been a busy month for Reimer since starter Roberto Luongo was injured Dec. 4, and he capped December with another stellar show. He also beat Ottawa 1-0 a week ago with a 38-save effort.
Vincent Trocheck and Connor Brickley scored for the Panthers, who won their fifth straight game with Reimer in goal.
Carey Price made 32 saves for Montreal, which has lost four straight.
BLUES 3, HURRICANES 2: In St. Louis, Scottie Upshall broke a tie midway through the third period as St. Louis held off Carolina.
Kyle Brodziak and Partrik Berglund also scored for St. Louis, and Carter Hutton made 22 saves. The Blues won for the third time in 10 games and snapped Carolina’s fourgame winning streak.
Derek Ryan and Lucas Wallmark scored for Carolina.
BRUINS 5, SENATORS 0: In Ottawa, Ryan Spooner scored twice and Tuukka Rask made 25 saves in Boston’s victory over Ottawa.
Noel Acciari, David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron also scored for the Bruins, 5-1 winners over the Senators on Wednesday night in Boston. Rask had his second shutout of the season and 40th overall.
KINGS 4, CANUCKS 3: In Vancouver, British, Columbia, Drew Doughty scored early in the third period to lift Los Angeles over Vancouver.
Kyle Clifford scored the tying goal 2:22 into the third to set up Doughty’s winner, and Tyler Toffoli and Marian Gaborik also scored for LA.