Washington goalie Olaf Kolzig continued his recent strong play with 43 saves, and Mike Grier, Matt Pettinger and Robert Lang each scored as the Capitals defeated the New Jersey Devils 3-1.
"It was pretty quiet, more so than it's been," Kolzig said of the pregame atmosphere. "I guess we're in a state where you never know what's going to happen. With him getting traded, it's equivalent to the Capitals as Gretzky getting trade. Anybody's available to go."
Kolzig is 4-2-2 in his last eight starts despite the fact Washington has allowed at least 30 shots in each of its last 10 games -- and 40 shots in five of the last eight. New Jersey held a 44-26 advantage in shots in this game, keeping Kolzig busy after he made 47 saves in Tuesday's 1-1 tie with Ottawa.
"Olie's been sensational," Washington coach Glen Hanlon said. "I just have so much admiration and appreciation."
It was Washington's first game after Wednesday's trade of longtime Capital Peter Bondra to Ottawa. Several fans on Thursday began chanting, "We want Peter" when the Capitals started slowly, but the announced crowd of 14,595 changed sentiments and gave Kolzig a huge ovation at game's end.
Maple Leafs 2, Hurricanes 1, OT
In Raleigh, North Carolina, Darcy Tucker scored 2:18 into overtime to lift Toronto past Carolina.
Bryan McCabe scored a power-play goal in the first period for Toronto, and Mikael Tellqvist made 34 saves. Sean Hill scored midway through the third period for the Hurricanes.
Rangers 6, Islanders 2
In New York, Jaromir Jagr had a goal and an assist in his return from a groin injury, and Mike Dunham made 30 saves as the Rangers claimed their fifth straight win over the Islanders in a fight-filled game.
The Rangers are 5-0 against the Islanders this season, but trail their local rival by 11 points in the race for the playoffs. The Rangers (22-27-7-4) are 7-0-2 in their last nine against the Islanders, games all started by Dunham.
Eric Cairns and Dale Purinton fought with 3:54 left as a major scrum involving Islanders goalie Garth Snow broke out. Only Dunham stayed out of the fray. Purinton and Snow were ejected.
Canadiens 4, Flames 1
In Montreal, Pierre Dagenais scored twice and backup goalie Mathieu Garon made 19 saves as Montreal beat Calgary to end a season-high four-game losing streak.
Patrice Brisebois and Niklas Sundstrom also scored for Montreal, which ended Calgary's third four-game winning streak this season.
Jarome Iginla scored his 30th goal for the Flames, who fell short of their first five-game winning streak in seven years.
Bruins 4, Flyers 3
In Philadelphia, Boston rookie Patrice Bergeron scored an unassisted goal late in the second period as Boston edged Philadelphia.
Bergeron, who also had an assist, snapped a 2-2 tie.
Hal Gill, Rob Zamuner and Glen Murray also scored to help the Bruins move into a second-place tie with Ottawa in the Northeast Division.
John LeClair scored twice and Simon Gagne added a goal for the Flyers, who dropped their third straight game, the team's longest losing streak since losing four straight from Jan. 8-13.
Blues 4, Lightning 3, OT
In St. Louis, Doug Weight scored on a rebound at 1:06 of overtime to give St. Louis a win over Tampa bay and its first three-game winning streak since mid-December.
Dallas Drake had three assists in his 800th career game, helping set up Weight's third overtime goal of the season.
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