Thornton Injured as Bruins Tie

The Boston Bruins lost their chance at home-ice advantage through the Eastern Conference finals. And, if Joe Thornton’s injury is serious, they may have lost any chance of getting to the finals.

Thornton assisted on a tying goal before leaving the game because of an injury while the Bruins held on to tie the Washington Capitals, 3-3, on Thursday night. The Bruins could still tie Tampa Bay for first place in the East, but the Lightning would win the tiebreaker.

Thornton was slashed on the right wrist by Todd Rohloff as he crashed the net 3:25 into the third period and fell backward, hitting the ice hard.

Thornton left the ice with a trainer but came back for another shift and threaded a cross-ice pass to Glen Murray to set up a goal that made it 2-2 at the 5:23 mark. A few minutes later, Thornton left the bench and did not return.

Bruin Coach Mike Sullivan said Thornton had an “upper body injury.” No other details were available, and Thornton was not available for comment after the game.

Tampa Bay 4, Florida 3 -- Martin St. Louis scored twice in the third period for the Lightning at Tampa, Fla. St. Louis scored his second goal of the game and 37th overall from just below the left-circle off a pass through the slot by Cory Stillman to put the Lightning ahead with 2:20 remaining.

Philadelphia 2, Montreal 0 -- Simon Gagne and Michal Handzus scored as the Flyers strengthened their hold on first place in the Atlantic Division at Montreal.

Sean Burke made 24 saves for his second shutout of the season and 35th of his career. Philadelphia had lost its previous two games with Robert Esche in goal.

Detroit 3, St. Louis 2 -- Marc Lamothe won in his second start of the season and Chris Chelios had two assists at St. Louis to help the Red Wings clinch first place overall in the NHL.

Nashville 3, Chicago 1 -- Tomas Vokoun made 34 saves at Chicago for the Predators, who moved into a tie for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.