Chara helps Bruins grab 2-1 lead vs. Capitals

Zdeno Chara scored the tiebreaking goal during four-onfour play with less than two minutes left and the reigning Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins beat the Washington Capitals 4-3 Monday to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven first-round series.

Monday’s games

Chara was involved in pretty much every key play: He was in the penalty box when Alexander Semin scored the game’s first goal for Washington; he had two assists; and his final shot from the right circle appeared to get deflected by Capitals defenseman Roman Hamrlik on its way past goalie Braden Holtby.

“It was nice to see him get that. He got clipped there in the head; a little frustrated from the non-call. He had a penalty early in the game for I thought just holding his own,” Boston coach Claude Julien said. “So he’s been good at not getting frustrated at those things. Because he stays with it, he ends up getting rewarded with a big goal.”

Game 4 is Thursday in Washington.

Rangers 1, Senators 0

Henrik Lundqvist made 39 saves for his fourth playoff shutout, and Brian Boyle scored for the third consecutive game to break a third-period tie.

The Rangers lead the best-ofseven first-round series 2-1. Game 4 will be Wednesday night in Ottawa.

Lundqvist’s biggest save came in the last minute when he robbed Kyle Turris on the doorstep with a quick pad stop.

Boyle took a rebound off the side of the net and backhanded a shot past Anderson to break the deadlock at 7:35.

“We’ve got to make sure we pay attention to him,” Senators coach Paul Maclean said. “He’s a big, strong guy and went to the net and got himself a goal, and that’s the way he’s been doing it.”

Blues 4, Sharks 3

Andy Mcdonald had a goal and two assists as St. Louis built a 4-1 lead, and the Blues held on to win.

Joe Thornton set up all three goals for San Jose, which pulled to within a goal with 17 seconds remaining.