Bruins win cellar dweller battle in OT
In a game between last-place teams, the Boston Bruins had the better sense of desperation.
The Bruins rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third period and won on Brad Stuart’s goal 2:02 into overtime Tuesday night for a 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals.
“We’re at this point right now where we have to get it going,” said Sergei Samsonov, who scored the tying goal with 7:14 remaining in regulation. “There’s nothing really that can discourage us anymore. We’re a desperate team, and I think we kind of showed that desperation tonight.”
Washington rookie Alexander Ovechkin’s 21st goal gave the Capitals a 3-1 lead with 8:13 remaining in the third period, but the Bruins capitalized on turnovers to rally for two goals in the next 59 seconds. Quick puck movement around the crease set up Marco Sturm’s 11th goal, and Samsonov got his 15th by skating to the front of the crease and deking Olie Kolzig before going to his backhand for the point-blank shot.
The Bruins dominated overtime, outshooting the Capitals 3-0 in the extra period and 43-18 for the game. Stuart took a pass from Patrice Bergeron and put a one-timer to Kolzig’s glove side to give Boston only its third win in eight games.
Maple Leafs 3, Penguins 2 (OT): At Pittsburgh, Tomas Kaberle sent a wrist shot past Marc-Andre Fleury to give Toronto the victory and send the Penguins to their fifth straight loss. Kaberle scored 2:26 into overtime from the slot on a pass from Mats Sundin, who had a goal and two assists.
Red Wings 4, Stars 1: At Dallas, Chris Osgood stopped 27 shots, and Henrik Zetterberg had a goal and two assists to send Detroit to its fourth straight victory. Jaroslav Svoboda scored for the Stars, whose last win over the Red Wings was Jan. 16, 2002.
Predators 4, Flames 3: At Calgary, Alberta, Scottie Upshall’s tiebreaking goal with 6:47 left stretched Nashville’s winning streak to six games. Calgary held a two-goal lead after the first period on goals by Dion Phaneuf and Marcus Nilson.
Around the league
The owners of the St. Louis Blues, who put the team up for sale this summer, entered into a letter of intent to negotiate exclusively with a group from Detroit. General Sports and Entertainment, LLC was founded by Andrew Appleby, former senior marketing executive of the Detroit Pistons and Palace Sports and Entertainment. … Toronto forward Darcy Tucker was fined $2,500 by the NHL for pulling off the helmet of New Jersey’s Cam Janssen during a wild fight and twice hitting the winger on the head with it. Tucker escaped further punishment from the league after his ejection from Monday’s game was reviewed by NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell.