NEW YORK – Alex Ovechkin proved that the Washington Capitals still have plenty of playoff life even though he’s still searching for his first postseason goal.
Ovechkin did plenty Monday night without finding the back of the net, and the Capitals knocked back the upstart New York Rangers with a solid 4-0 victory. Washington rebounded from a pair of frustrating home losses, got to goalie Henrik Lundqvist, and cut its series deficit to 2-1.
“It was an important game, but it’s over,” said Ovechkin, who led the NHL with 56 regular-season goals. “It’s done. It’s history. And we have to battle next game.”
Ovechkin went a third game without a goal, but earned two assists for the second-seeded Capitals, who dominated the No. 7 Rangers.
Behind 33 saves from 20-year-old Simeon Varlamov, the Capitals moved into position to tie the Eastern Conference matchup Wednesday at Madison Square Garden.
“We had some lucky goals,” said Nicklas Backstrom, Ovechkin’s linemate who had three assists. “It’s just one game.”
Bruins 4, Canadiens 2: At Montreal, Michael Ryder scored late in the second period and Tim Thomas made 23 saves to lead the Bruins to a win over the Canadiens and a commanding lead in their playoff series.
Phil Kessel, Shawn Thornton, Chuck Kobasew also scored for Boston, which increased its lead in the Eastern Conference quarterfinal to 3-0.
Flames 4, Blackhawks 2: At Calgary, Alberta, David Moss scored twice to lead the Flames.
Rene Bourque and Eric Nystrom also scored for the Flames, who trail 2-1 in the best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal series.
Game 4 is Wednesday night in Calgary.