Around the League notebook for Sunday, March 29

EASTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF RACE (Click chart below to zoom)	WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFF RACE (Click chart below to zoom)
Related information: "If the playoffs started today ..."  |  Current playoffs standings

SUNDAY’S RESULTS

Home Team in Caps

Washington 5, NY RANGERS 2

Florida 4, OTTAWA 2

NY ISLANDERS 5, Detroit 4

Boston 2, CAROLINA 1 (OT)

Calgary 5, NASHVILLE 2

Anaheim 2, NEW JERSEY 1

PITTSBURGH 3, San Jose 2 (SO)

Chicago 4, WINNIPEG 3

CAPITALS, BRUINS REMAIN IN WILD CARD POSITIONS WITH VICTORIES...

The Washington Capitals defeated the New York Rangers and the Boston Bruins defeated the Carolina Hurricanes in overtime. Washington, which occupies the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, improved to 41-25-10 (92 points) and Boston, which holds the second wild-card spot in the East, improved to 38-25-13 (89 points).

* With the game knotted at 2-2 heading into the third period, the Capitals scored three unanswered goals to defeat the New York Rangers 5-2.

* Alex Ovechkin (2-0—2) opened the scoring with an even-strength goal and added a power-play marker to record his League-leading 14th multigoal game of the season. Ovechkin leads the League in goals (49) and power-play goals (22).

* With 14 multigoal games this season, Ovechkin matched his career-high, set during the 2009-10 season. The total also tied the franchise single-season record for multigoal games, which Ovechkin shares with Dennis Maruk who had 14 during the 1981-82 season.

* Jason Chimera (2-0—2) posted his first multigoal performance since Dec. 23, 2011. The first goal also stood as Chimera’s second game-winning goal of the season.

* Brooks Laich (0-2—2) and Eric Fehr (0-2—2) assisted on both of Chimera’s goals; each had his first multi-assist game of the season.

* Braden Holtby made 23 saves to improve to 37-19-9 with a 2.21 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage. Holtby has won five of his past six decisions (5-1-0).

* With a career-high 37 wins, Holtby moved into a tie with Olaf Kolzig for second on the franchise’s single-season wins list by a goaltender. Kolzig had 37 wins during the 2000-01 season and holds the franchise record with 41 wins during the 1999-00 season.

* David Pastrnak (1-1—2) scored with 37 seconds remaining in overtime to propel the Bruins to a 2-1 road victory against the Hurricanes. Pastrnak’s goal was his 10th goal of the season, his third game-winning goal and the first overtime goal of his career. Pastrnak also added his 15th assist for his fifth multipoint performance of the season.

* Ryan Spooner (1-0—1) opened the scoring early in the first period with his seventh goal of the season. He extended his point streak to three games (2-1—3).

* Tuukka Rask stopped all but one of 31 shots he faced to improve to 31-19-12 with a 2.30 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage.

* Boston has earned points in six consecutive games against Carolina (5-0-1).

... WHILE PANTHERS KEEP PACE WITH WIN OVER SENATORS

Jaromir Jagr (2-0—2) had his second multigoal game of the season to lead the Florida Panthers to a 4-2 road victory against the Ottawa Senators. The Panthers improved to 35-26-15 (85 points); they moved within one point of the Senators and remained four points behind the Bruins.

* Jagr opened the scoring with a power-play goal and added an even-strength goal to extend his point streak to four games (2-3—5), which matched a season-high. Jagr’s first goal was his third power-play goal of the season and his second was his fourth game-winning goal of the season.

* The first goal was also Jagr’s 203rd power-play goal of his NHL career, moving him within one of Wayne Gretzky for 14th on the NHL’s all-time power-play goals list.

* Dave Bolland (1-1—2) scored his fifth goal into an empty net and had his 16th assist for his fourth multiple-point performance of the season. Bolland’s assist was the 200th point of his NHL career.

* Jonathan Huberdeau (0-2—2) recorded his seventh multiple-assist game of the season and extended his point streak to four games (2-4—6), which includes back-to-back games with two assists.

* Brian Campbell (0-1—1) recorded his 142nd point as a member of the Panthers (22-120—142) and tied Gord Murphy for third on the franchise’s all-time points list among defensemen and 15th on the franchise’s all-time overall points list.

* Dan Ellis made 25 saves to improve to 4-2-1 with a 2.11 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage.

* Kevin Vickers and the House of Commons Security Team were honored in a pre-game ceremony.

BLACKHAWKS, FLAMES RECLAIM THIRD IN RESPECTIVE DIVISIONS WITH WINS

Jonathan Toews (1-0—1) scored the game-winner with 31 seconds remaining in regulation to lift the Chicago Blackhawks to a 4-3 victory over his hometown Winnipeg Jets. The Blackhawks improved to 45-24-6 (96 points) and leapfrogged the idle Minnesota Wild to take sole possession of third place in the Central Division standings.

* Toews’ tally was his 25th goal of the season and his fifth game-winning goal of the season.

* Corey Crawford made 31 saves to improve to 31-17-5 this season with a 2.31 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage.

* Jiri Hudler (1-2—3) recorded his third three-point game of the season to power the Calgary Flames to a 5-2 road victory against the Nashville Predators. The Flames improved to 41-28-7 (89 points) and leapfrogged the idle Los Angeles Kings for sole possession of third in the Pacific Division.

* Hudler scored his 28th goal and had two assists. Hudler leads the Flames in assists (41) and points (28-41—69).

* Lance Bouma (2-0—2) recorded his second multigoal game of the season. Deryk Engelland (0-2—2) recorded his first multiple-assist game of the season.

* Jonas Hiller made 27 saves to improve to 22-18-4 with a 2.43 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage. Hiller has earned points in four of his last five decisions (3-1-1).

* Calgary swept their season series against Nashville (3-0-0).

* Michael Ferland (1-0—1) scored the first goal of his NHL career; it also stood as the game-winner.

PENGUINS DEFEAT SHARKS, REMAIN SECOND IN METROPOLITAN DIVISION STANDINGS...

David Perron netted the shootout winner to propel the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 3-2 victory against the San Jose Sharks. Pittsburgh, which is second in the Metropolitan Division, improved to 42-23-11 (95 points).

* Marc-Andre Fleury made 30 saves through 65 minutes and stopped both shooters in the shootout to improve to 33-17-8 with a 2.26 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage. Fleury also improved to 3-5 in shootouts; he has stopped 20 of 32 shooters for a .625 save percentage.

* The Penguins improved to 4-0-2 in their last six home games against the Sharks.

* Referee Kevin Pollock was given an autographed stick by Sidney Crosby during a pregame ceremony in recognition of his 1,000th career game.

... WHILE ISLANDERS KEEP PACE WITH HELP OF SPECIAL TEAMS

The New York Islanders scored three power-play goals and one shorthanded goal in their 5-4 victory against the Detroit Red Wings. The Islanders improved to 45-27-5 (95 points) and moved into a tie with the Penguins – in terms of standings points – for second in the Metropolitan Division standings. Although both clubs own an equal ROW tiebreaker of 38, the Penguins hold one game in hand.

* Brock Nelson (1-0—1), Kyle Okposo (1-0—1) and Frans Nielsen (1-0—1) scored the power-play goals for the Islanders, with Nielsen’s tally coming just 16 seconds into the second period. Cal Clutterbuck (1-0—1) scored his second shorthanded goal of the season; it also stood as his career-high fourth game-winning goal.

* According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the last time the Islanders scored three power-play goals and one shorthanded goal in a game was Nov. 30, 1997, in a 5-3 victory over the New York Rangers.

* John Tavares (0-3—3) recorded his second three-assist game of the season. Tavares ranks second among League-leaders with 77 points (34-43—77).

* Nick Leddy (0-2—2) posted his third multiple-assist performance of the season.

* Jaroslav Halak made 21 saves to improve to 36-16-2 with a 2.42 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage. With a career-high 36 wins, Halak extended his franchise record for wins in a single season by a goaltender.

* The Islanders improved to 9-2-1 in their last 12 games against the Red Wings.

ANAHEIM EARNS THIRD STRAIGHT WIN IN VICTORY OVER NEW JERSEY

Francois Beauchemin (1-0—1) scored the game-winner early in the third period to propel the Anaheim Ducks to a 2-1 road win against the New Jersey Devils. The Ducks won their third straight game and improved to their League-leading record to 49-22-7 (105 points).

* Anaheim leads the NHL in wins in one-goal games this season (32-1-7). The Ducks are the first team to post 32 one-goal victories in a single season since the Devils did so during the 2006-07 season (32-7-9).

* Beauchemin’s goal was his 10th goal of the season and his first game-winner.

* John Gibson stopped all but one of 27 shots he faced to improve to 13-7-0 with a 2.58 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage. Gibson has won four of his last five decisions (4-1-0).

* Anaheim swept its season series against New Jersey (2-0-0) and has earned points in five consecutive contests against the Devils (3-0-2).

LOOSE PUCKS

Washington defenseman Matt Niskanen (0-1—1) extended his point streak to three games (0-4—4), which matched a season-high. ... Washington forward Marcus Johansson (1-0—1) extended his point streak to three games (1-3—4). ... Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi skated in the 644th game of his NHL career, tying Rod Seiling for 17th on the franchise’s all-time games played list and seventh on the franchise’s all-time games played list among defensemen. ... Islanders defenseman Lubomir Visnovsky (0-1—1) extended his point streak to a season-high three games (1-2—3). ... Detroit forward Tomas Tatar (1-1—2) posted his 12th multipoint performance of the season. Tatar’s goal was the 100th point of his NHL career. ... Detroit forward Pavel Datsyuk (1-1—2) recorded his 16th multipoint game of the season. ... Detroit defenseman Marek Zidlicky (0-1—1) had the 399th point of his NHL career (85-314—399) and tied Petr Svoboda for third on the all-time points list among defensemen from the Czech Republic. ... Detroit defenseman Niklas Kronwall (1-0—1) had the 337th point of his NHL career (71-266—337) and tied Dale McCourt for 25th on the franchise’s all-time points list. ... Detroit defenseman Jonathan Ericsson skated in the 400th game of his NHL career. ... Boston defenseman Torey Krug (0-1—1) extended his point streak to three games (0-3—3). ... Carolina forward Jordan Staal skated in the 600th game of his NHL career. ... Nashville defenseman Roman Josi (1-1—2) had his 15th multi-point game this season. ... Nashville forward Mike Ribeiro (0-1—1) extended his point streak to four games (2-4—6). ... Anaheim defenseman James Wisniewski (0-1—1) extended his point streak to three games (0-3—3). ... New Jersey forward Patrik Elias (0-1—1) extended his point streak to three games (1-2—3), matching a season-high. ... New Jersey forward Scott Gomez skated in his 600th game as a member of the Devils. ... Chicago forward Brandon Saad (0-1—1) extended his point streak to three games (1-2—3). ... Winnipeg defenseman Dustin Byfuglien (2-0—2) scored two power-play goals against his former club; it was his second multigoal performance of the season. ... Winnipeg forward Andrew Ladd (0-2—2) recorded his fifth multi-assist game of the season against his former team. ... Winnipeg forward Blake Wheeler (1-0—1) scored his team-leading fourth shorthanded goal of the season and extended his point streak to three games (3-0—3). ... Winnipeg forward Drew Stafford (0-1—1) extended his career-high point streak to nine games (4-7—11). The streak is the longest by a member of the Jets this season and is the longest current streak in the League. ... Pittsburgh forward Sidney Crosby (0-1—1) registered his team-leading 54th assist and extended his point streak to three games (1-4—5). Crosby leads the League with 79 points (25-54—79). ... San Jose forward Logan Couture (1-0—1) extended his point streak to three games (2-2—4). ... San Jose defenseman Brent Burns (0-1—1) extended his point streak to four games (0-4—4). ... The Ottawa Senators held their Star Wars Night on Sunday.