FTS - 3/20/09

(Photo Credit: AP)

OVECHKIN’S 50TH GOAL GIVES CAPS 45TH WIN

Alex Ovechkin reached the 50-goal plateau for the third time in his four-year career in Thursday night’s 5-2 defeat of the Lightning. Ovechkin scored the first goal of the night, then set up two of the Capitals’ three third period tallies. The victory jumped the Caps into the second place in the Eastern Conference, four points behind Boston. Washington (45-22-6) has beaten Tampa Bay nine straight times, scoring at least four times in each of the last six. The Lightning (23-33-15) have also dropped five straight overall and eight of nine at home.

Kings 3 – Bruins 2 OT

The latest bump in the Bruins’ road to the Eastern Conference title is a blown 2-0 lead on home ice. Michal Handzus and Drew Doughty scored in the final 11:10 of regulation to force overtime, and then Dustin Brown won it for Los Angeles with 35 seconds left in extra time. The Kings (30-30-10) remains barely alive in the Western Conference playoff chase – they are seven points behind 8th-place Nashville, but have four teams between them and the Predators. The Bruins (45-17-10), meanwhile, are now just 6-9-4 in their last 19 outings. Goalie Tim Thomas says, “Whether we’re on the road or at home, teams are coming up against us and it’s almost like they’ve got the upper hand already because they’re the more confident team.”

Senators 5 – Canadiens 4

Another shaky outing from Carey Price extended Montreal’s losing streak to four games and kept the Canadiens (36-26-9) in a tie with Carolina for the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. Price allowed four goals on 15 shots over the game’s first 23 minutes. Jason Spezza scored twice, while Daniel Alfredsson had one and an assist for the Senators (30-30-10), winners of three straight and seven of eight. Goalie Brian Elliott made 28 saves for his franchise-rookie-record seventh consecutive decision.

Panthers 3 – Maple Leafs 1

Florida put an end to its four-game losing streak Thursday behind a shorthanded goal from Stephen Weiss and 37 saves from Tomas Vokoun. The victory pushed the Panthers within one point of 8th-place Carolina and gave them their first season-sweep of Toronto (29-30-13) since the 1995-96 season. David Booth added two assists for Florida (35-26-10).

Oilers 8 – Avalanche 1

Edmonton kept itself in the Western Conference playoff picture Thursday night in Denver with an offense explosion. Sophomore Sam Gagner recorded the first hat trick of his career, and Ethan Moreau, Shawn Horcoff, Fernando Pisani, Ales Kotalik and Sheldon Souray also scored in the Avs’ worst home loss since leaving Quebec. Edmonton (34-27-9) remains tied with Nashville for the final two spots out West, but has two games in-hand on the Predators.

Sharks 3 – Predators 2 SO

Jonathan Cheechoo hasn’t scored in regulation in 13 games, but he picked up his second shootout winner at home in six days Thursday night against Nashville. The former Richard Trophy winner beat Pekka Rinne up high with a pretty backhand to move San Jose (46-14-10) within one point of conference-leading Detroit. The Preds’ point keeps them even with Edmonton for the 7th and 8th spots in the West.

Canucks 3 – Blues 0

Robert Luongo made 30 saves for his first shutout in four months Thursday at GM Place against St. Louis. Vancouver’s home winning streak is now a franchise-record 11 games. Luongo kept the Canucks in the game over the first 30 minutes as the Blues outshot them, 18-4. Alexandre Burrows, Mason Raymond and Henrik Sedin scored once the Vancouver offense kicked in. The Canucks are now 16-3-1 over their last 20 games, good enough to overtake Chicago for 4th place out West. The Blues (32-30-9) are four points from 8th place.

Ducks 3 – Coyotes 2 SO

There is now a three-way tie for 9th place in the Western Conference after this skills competition decision for Anaheim. Bobby Ryan beat Ilya Bryzgalov in the fifth round of the shootout to earn the Ducks (34-31-6) the second point. They join idle Dallas and Minnesota in looking up at Nashville and Edmonton. Zbynek Michalek and Matt Lombardi scored for the Coyotes (29-35-7).


IN OTHER NEWS…

Martin Brodeur’s buzz from setting the all-time wins record Tuesday night took a hit Thursday when a New Jersey appeals court ordered him to pay his ex-wife $500,000 per year until 2020. Brodeur appealed the original ruling, asking to support his ex only until the end of his career.

The latest Shark with injury issues is left wing Ryane Clowe. He will miss at least a week after lower body surgery. Clowe was apparently hurt Tuesday night against Phoenix.

The Islanders signed tough guy Tim Jackman to a one-year extension Thursday – financial terms were not disclosed. In 57 games this year, Jackson has four goals, 2 assists and 133 PIM.

FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE:
Islanders @ Hurricanes 7:00pm ET
Wild @ Devils 7:00
Flyers @ Sabres 7:30
Kings @ Penguins 7:30
Red Wings @ Thrashers 7:30
Oilers @ Blackhawks 8:30 (Game of the Night)
Blues @ Flames 9:00