NHL: Capitals tied with Carolina
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Associated Press
WASHINGTON ó Alex Ovechkin scored his league-leading 63rd goal and got all sorts of help Tuesday in Washingtonís 4-1 victory over Carolina, a result that left the teams tied atop the Southeast Division at 90 points apiece with two games to go in the regular season.
The Capitals have won nine of their past 10 games.
Washington ranked 30th of 30 NHL teams in late November, about a quarter of the way through the season, when minor league coach Bruce Boudreau replaced the fired Glen Hanlon. The Capitals still stood 14th of 15 Eastern Conference clubs at the seasonís halfway point.
If they can pass the Hurricanes ó as of now, Carolina holds the tiebreaker edge ó the Capitals would win their first division championship since 2000-01.
iIf this is what itís like in the playoffs in the NHL, no wonder itís an exciting game,î Boudreau said. iThe NHL knew what they were doing when they put the schedule together. If they wanted tight races, they got it.î
Both Washington and Carolina have two games left, against the same opponents: Tampa Bay and Florida.
iYou have to assume they will win both of theirs,î Carolina coach Peter Laviolette said. iWe have to win both of ours.î
A regulation victory would have allowed Carolina to clinch the division title and No. 3 seeding for the playoffs.
* Carolina forwards Justin Williams (knee) and Ray Whitney (leg) came off injured reserve and played ó although Williams left with a torso injury. Williams missed the previous 43 games, Whitney the previous 12.
Panthers 3, Thrashers 2
ATLANTA ó Jay Bouwmeester and David Booth scored early third-period goals 17 seconds apart.
Devils 2, Islanders 1 (OT)
UNIONDALE, N.Y. ó Zach Parise deflected in Johnny Oduyaís shot 29 seconds into overtime for New Jersey, which clinched a playoff berth.
Predators 4, Blues 3 (OT)
ST. LOUIS ó Rich Peverley scored 1:43 into overtime to complete the Nashvilleís comeback from a three-goal deficit.
Canadiens 3, Senators 0
OTTAWA ó Carey Price made 32 saves for his third shutout and Alex Kovalev scored his 35th goal as Montreal claimed its first division title in 16 years.
It secured the Northeast Division title with 100 points.
Sabres 4 Maple Leafs 3 (SO)
TORONTO ó Maxim Afinogenov scored the winning goal in the shootout, preserving the Sabresí slim playoff hopes.
Avalanche 4, Canucks 2
VANCOUVER, British Columbia ó Colorado rallied to clinch a playoff spot.