NHL roundup Thursday’s other games

Capitals 5, Senators 2

WASHINGTON — Nicklas Backstrom scored twice in the third period, and Alex Ovechkin added his first goal since becoming Capitals captain as Washington beat Ottawa. Ovechkin nearly made it three games in a row without a goal, which would have matched his longest drought of the season, but the Capitals are 2-0 with the “C” on the jersey of the two-time NHL MVP. Ovechkin also assisted on both of Backstrom’s goals. Boyd Gordon and Mike Knuble had goals for the Capitals in the first period. Chris Phillips scored for the Senators in the second, and Jonathan Cheechoo added one late in the third for Ottawa.

Blackhawks 5, Bruins 2

BOSTON — Duncan Keith scored two goals and assisted on another to help Chicago rally from a two-goal deficit and beat Boston. The Bruins opened a 2-0 lead in the first 8:02, but Keith and Tomas Kopecky tied it before the end of the first period. Andrew Ladd gave Chicago the lead 102 seconds into the second, and Keith made it 4-2 midway through the period to chase U.S. Olympic goalie Tim Thomas. Thomas stopped 20 of 24 shots before being replaced by Tuukka Rask, who made 11 saves. The only goal he allowed was Patrick Kane’s shot from the slot that made it 5-2 with just over two minutes left. Kane has 19 goals on the season and points in 10 straight games.

Thrashers 2, Rangers 1, SO

ATLANTA — Bryan Little scored in the fifth round of a shootout to spoil New York goalie Chad Johnson’s first NHL start and help the Thrashers snap a nine-game losing streak. The Thrashers avoided their first 10-game skid since their inaugural season 10 years ago. Johan Hedberg had 29 saves and gave up only Marian Gaborik’s goal in the extended shootout. Hedberg turned aside Eric Christensen, Ryan Callahan and Ales Kotalik before rookie defenseman Michael Del Zotto shot wide to end the shootout.

Predators 4, Hurricanes 2

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Patric Hornqvist scored two goals and had an assist as Nashville beat Carolina. Steve Sullivan had a goal and an assist, and J.P. Dumont scored a short-handed goal as the Predators won for the fourth time in five games. Nashville has won three straight in this series.

Canadiens 2, Panthers 0

MONTREAL — Jaroslav Halak made 38 saves for his second shutout, and Montreal beat Florida for its first home win in a month. Halak recorded his sixth NHL shutout and improved to 6-1 in his last seven starts.

Associated Press