Capitals get back in series

Alex Ovechkin went a third game without a goal, but earned two assists for the second-seeded Washington Capitals, who posted a 4-0 victory over the No. 7 Rangers and got back into the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series Monday night at New York.

Behind 33 saves from 20-year-old Simeon Varlamov, the Capitals cut the series deficit to 2-1 -- after a pair of home losses -- and moved into position to tie the best-of-seven matchup Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden.

Ovechkin cut down on his shooting after taking 19 shots in the first two games and having another 17 attempts blocked, and showed off his passing skills. He earned assists on Alexander Semin’s two goals in the first period and was on the ice when Brooks Laich added a power-play tally in the second.

Boston 4, Montreal 2 -- Michael Ryder scored late in the second period and Tim Thomas made 23 saves to lead the visiting Bruins to a commanding 3-0 lead in their first-round series. Phil Kessel, Shawn Thornton, Chuck Kobasew also scored for Boston.

The Bruins, who haven’t won a playoff series since 1999, are poised to beat the Canadiens for only the eighth time in 32 playoff matchups between the longtime rivals.

Calgary 4, Chicago 2 -- David Moss scored twice and Rene Bourque and Eric Nystrom also scored for the host Flames, who trail 2-1 in the series.

Curtis Glencross had two assists for Calgary, which won for the first time in seven meetings with Chicago -- four in the regular season and three in the playoffs. Chicago’s Martin Havlat scored his third goal in as many games.