WASHINGTON: The Washington Capitals advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals after beating the New York Rangers 3-1 to wrap up their NHL first-round playoff series 4-1 Saturday. Mike Green scored on a power play in the first period but later left the game after taking a puck off the helmet. Alex Ovechkin scored his third goal of the series in the second period, and Alexander Semin added a goal in the third. Michal Neuvirth made 26 saves and had a shutout until the final minute as the top-seeded Capitals allowed only eight goals in the series – two in three home wins. It was the first time the Capitals won a series in fewer than seven games since 1998, when they made their only appearance in the Stanley Cup finals. Kings 3, Sharks 1: At San Jose, California, Jonathan Quick made 51 saves to help Los Angeles beat San Jose to avoid elimination in their first-round playoff series. Kyle Clifford, Wayne Simmonds and Dustin Penner scored in a big first period for the Kings, who cut San Jose's lead in the series to 3-2 after dropping two straight games at home. The Sharks outshot the Kings 52-22 but failed to end the third all-California playoff series in NHL history at home. San Jose will now try to wrap up the series in Game 6 on Monday night in Los Angeles. The Kings knocked out Antti Niemi with three goals on their first four shots in the first 8:42 of the game. Bruins 2, Canadiens 1, OT: In Boston, Nathan Horton scored at 9:03 of the second overtime to give the Bruins a 3-2 lead over Montreal in their playoff series. Montreal goalie Carey Price stopped Andrew Ference's wrist shot from 30 feet but couldn't control the rebound and Horton was able to find the right side of the net. It was Horton's second goal of the playoffs. Boston won in overtime for the second time in three days, including a 5-4 victory on Thursday night. It also was the first win by a home team in the series. The Bruins, who have won three straight games, can end the series on Tuesday in Montreal. Lightning 8, Penguins 2: At Pittsburgh, Steven Stamkos scored the first two playoff goals of his NHL career as Tampa Bay avoided elimination with a convincing victory over Pittsburgh. Stamkos led the NHL with 96 goals over the past two seasons, but he had only one assist in the first four games of the series.
