WASHINGTON: Mike Knuble's overtime goal gave the Washington Capitals their eighth straight victory and a 4-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks Sunday. The winning streak is the longest for the Capitals since they set a franchise record with 14 straight victories from Jan. 13-Feb. 7, 2010. Washington set a club record with its fourth straight 40-win season. The Capitals increased their Southeast Division lead over Tampa Bay to five points. Washington also moved one point behind Philadelphia for first place in the Eastern Conference. The Blackhawks have dropped three straight after winning eight in a row. Rookie goalie Braden Holtby has given up only four goals in 11 periods since replacing injured Michal Neuvirth after the first period at Tampa Bay on March 7. Holtby made 27 saves against the Blackhawks. Kings 3, Stars 2: At Dallas, Michal Handzus scored the tiebreaking goal with 20.8 seconds remaining and Los Angeles stretched its winning streak to three by beating Dallas. Jamie Langenbrunner had tied it at 2 for the Stars with 43 seconds left when he poked a loose puck through the pads of Jonathan Quick. But with the game seemingly headed for overtime, Handzus set up in front and steered Alexei Ponikarovsky's centering feed past goalie Kari Lehtonen to give the Kings the win. Drew Doughty and Dustin Penner added goals, and Quick made 17 saves for the Kings, 7-2-1 in their last 10. Los Angeles improved to 83 points, one more than Dallas in the tight Western Conference playoff race. Brad Richards also scored and Lehtonen stopped 22 shots for the Stars, 6-1-2 in their last nine games. Penguins 5, Oilers 1: At Pittsburgh, Chris Kunitz scored two goals, Tyler Kennedy added three assists, and Pittsburgh moved to within three points of the Eastern Conference lead by thrashing Edmonton. Marc-Andre Fleury made 28 saves one day after being pulled during a loss to Montreal. Sabres 6, Senators 4: In Buffalo, New York, Tyler Ennis scored two goals and Jhonas Enroth made 34 saves to lead Buffalo over Ottawa. The game was played hours after former Sabres great Rick Martin died in a one-car accident. A moment of silence was observed in honor of Martin, a member of the Sabres' famed French Connection line. Coyotes 5, Ducks 2: In Anaheim, California, Lauri Korpikoski gave Phoenix the lead for good with his second goal of the game, and Taylor Pyatt and David Schlemko also scored in the a victory over Anaheim.
