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NHL Capsules: Backstrom has 3-point night as Capitals beat Bruins 5-3

Washington Capitals’ Evgeny Kuznetsov (92), of Russia, shoots the puck in front of New York Islanders’ Adam Pelech (50) for a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2017, in New York. (Frank Franklin II / Associated Press)
Associated Press

WASHINGTON – Nicklas Backstrom had three points and Alex Ovechkin continued to climb the NHL’s goal-scoring charts as the Washington Capitals beat the Boston Bruins 5-3 on Wednesday night.

The Bruins’ winning streak ended at three, and they got a scare when center Patrice Bergeron took a slap shot off his right leg. League-leading Washington extended its winning streak against Boston to eight.

Backstrom had a goal and two assists, setting up T.J. Oshie and Ovechkin, who passed Ron Francis for 27th on the all-time list. Brett Connolly and Evgeny Kuznetsov scored for the Capitals, who got 30 saves from Braden Holtby.

Despite allowing two power-play goals to fellow All-Star Brad Marchand and a late goal to David Krejci, Holtby improved to 11-2-0 against the Bruins in the regular season.

Kings 5, Avalanche 0

LOS ANGELES – Jeff Carter scored two goals and Peter Budaj earned his sixth shutout of the season in Los Angeles’ fourth consecutive victory.

Marian Gaborik also scored during Los Angeles’ three-goal first period, and Dustin Brown and Dwight King added third-period goals in the Kings’ first win over the Avalanche in four tries.

Budaj made 22 saves in the longtime Avalanche goalie’s 17th career shutout for Los Angeles, which has ramped up its playoff push with back-to-back victories after hosting the All-Star Game.

Spencer Martin stopped 35 shots in the 21-year-old prospect’s third NHL appearance for the league-worst Avalanche, who have lost nine straight and 19 of 21.

Flames 5, Wild 1

CALGARY, Alberta – Sean Monahan scored twice to lead Calgary over Minnesota.

Deryk Engelland had a goal and an assist, and Alex Chiasson and Micheal Ferland also scored to help the Flames win consecutive games after losing four straight. Brian Elliott stopped 28 shots.

Jason Zucker scored and Devan Dubnyk finished with 31 saves for the Wild, who had won three straight and five of their previous six overall. Minnesota was also 12-0-2 in its last 14 road games.