Two-time defending league MVP Alex Ovechkin had two goals and an assist Thursday in carrying Washington to a season-opening 4-1 win over Boston. It the was the first regular-season game completed among the four that were on the NHL schedule Thursday. Ovechkin led the NHL with 56 goals last season and he began the 2009-10 campaign by assisting on a power-play score by Brooks Laich just 2:45 into the new campaign. The Capitals took a 2-0 lead in the second period on Ovechkin's first goal.

Mark Recchi and Chuck Kobasew each had a goal and an assist Tuesday and the Boston Bruins beat Carolina 4-2 to tie the Eastern Conference semifinals at 3-3. Steve Montador had a goal and Patrice Bergeron two assists for the Bruins, who have come back from a 3-1 deficit to force a Game 7 Thursday in Boston.

Mark Recchi's overtime goal Thursday gave the Boston Bruins a 5-4 win over Montreal, which sneaked into the NHL playoffs despite the loss. Recchi's game-winner was his second goal of the contest. Montreal got a point by getting into overtime, and that was enough to secure a playoff spot for the Canadiens. Zdeno

Simon Gagne scored two goals and set up another Tuesday and Philadelphia used a three-goal third period to beat Boston 4-2. Mike Knuble had a goal and two assists, and Scottie Upshall also scored for the Flyers, who won for the sixth time in their last nine games.

Byron Bitz scored the second and third goals of his career Tuesday, paving the way for a 6-1 Boston Bruins blasting of the Florida Panthers. The rookie winger was joined in the Boston scoring by Patrice Bergeron, Mark Stuart, Aaron Ward and Michael Ryder.