SAN JOSE, California: Nicklas Backstrom scored the winning goal in the shootout (3-2) to lead the Washington Capitals to their first win in San Jose in more than 20 years in the National Hockey League game yesterday.
Eric Fehr and Chris Brown scored in regulation for the Capitals, who had lost 11 times and tied once since winning their first game at the Shark Tank on October 30, 1993. This is only Washington’s second win in its last 19 games overall against San Jose. Braden Holtby made 34 saves in his first start since March 6 in place of the banged-up Jaroslav Halak. Patrick Marleau and James Sheppard scored for the Sharks, who missed a chance to clinch their 10th straight playoff berth. Antti Niemi made 23 saves.
James Neal scored a power-play goal with 3:33 remaining in overtime to lift the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 4-3 victory over Tampa Bay, their ninth straight victory over the Lightning.
Neal scored from the right circle on a pass from Evgeni Malkin only 16 seconds after the Lightning were penalized for having too many men on the ice. It was Neal’s 23rd goal of the season.
Brayden Schenn scored the go-ahead goal in the second period, goaltender Steve Mason made 32 saves and the Philadelphia Flyers beat the St. Louis Blues 4-1.
Scott Hartnell, Jakub Voracek and Wayne Simmonds also scored goals to help the Flyers (38-25-7) win their fifth straight game and move three points ahead of the New York Rangers for second place in the Metropolitan Division. Detroit center Gustav Nyquist’s recent hot streak continued as his third-period goal helped the Red Wings win for the fourth time in their last five games.
Nyquist scored his fifth goal in the past four games by threading a shot over the glove of Minnesota goalie Darcy Kuemper to snap a third period deadlock.
David Legwand scored a power-play goal, and set up another for defenseman Brendan Smith, while goaltender Jimmy Howard had 28 saves for Detroit (33-24-13) in the Wings’ only visit to Minnesota this season. Dallas claimed a much needed 3-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators thanks to three unanswered goals, including the eventual game-winner from defenseman Trevor Daley early in the third period.
Trevor Lewis had a goal and an assist, and goaltender Jonathan Quick made 24 saves as the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Florida Panthers 4-0.
Los Angeles (39-25-6) won for the second time on a five-game home stand and stayed well ahead of the Phoenix Coyotes for third place in the Pacific Division.
Rick Nash scored from a tight angle in the second period and goaltender Henrik Lundqvist earned his 50th career NHL shutout as the New York Rangers won their fourth straight road game with a 2-0 win over the New Jersey Devils.Agencies
