Nicklas Backstrom scored in overtime to give Washington a 4-3 win over Philadelphia on Friday, making a success of Bruce Boudreau's debut as the Capitals' interim head coach.
Backstrom, who also had two assists, slipped a loose puck past Philadelphia goaltender Marty Biron at 1:55 of the extra period to snap the Capitals' five-game losing streak.
The 52-year-old Boudreau was named to the interim position on Thursday, replacing Glen Hanlon, who was fired a day after the Capitals lost to Atlanta. He took over a team that had lost nine of its previous 10.
Bruins 2, Islanders 1
At Boston, Tim Thomas stopped 25 shots and Glen Metropolit scored the winner to lift Boston to its fourth win in five games with victory over the New York Islanders.
The Islanders have scored two goals or fewer in each of their last seven games.
Boston embarks on a tough stretch the next two-and-a-half weeks, playing nine of its next 10 away beginning yesterday with a rematch against the Islanders.
Blue Jackets 4, Wild 0
At St. Paul, Minnesota, Pascal Leclaire stopped 32 shots for his club-record sixth shutout this season and Columbus snapped a five-game road winless streak by downing Minnesota.
Michael Peca had a goal and an assist in his return from a groin injury for Columbus, which took advantage of several Wild turnovers.
Minnesota has dropped 10 of its last 14 and continues to struggle after starting the season 7-0-1.
Ducks 3, Coyotes 3, SO
At Anaheim, California, Radim Vrbata scored his second goal of the game on a power play with 1:07 left in regulation, then added the clinching goal in the shootout to give Phoenix victory over Anaheim.
Former Duck Ilya Bryzgalov, who made 23 saves, thwarted attempts by Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry in the shootout. Bryzgalov was 0-5 in shootouts while playing for the Ducks.
Hurricanes 4, Lightning 3
In Raleigh, North Carolina, Glen Wesley capped a third-period comeback with his first goal in more than nine months to help Carolina beat Tampa Bay for the first time this season.
Down 3-1 entering the final 20 minutes and headed toward another lopsided loss to their Southeast Division rival, the Hurricanes scored three goals in less than 7 minutes.
Sabres 4, Canadiens 2
In Buffalo, New York, Thomas Vanek scored to break a third-period tie and Buffalo downed Montreal.
In other games, it was:
* Devils 3, Thrashers 0
* Panthers 3, Rangers 2, SO
* Blues 3, Canucks 1
* Stars 3, Maple Leafs 1
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care