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January 9, 2010

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Home » Sports » Ice Hockey

Backstrom powers Caps past Sens

Source: Agencies | January 9, 2010, Saturday | Print Edition

FOR two years, the normal routine was Nicklas Backstrom setting up Alex Ovechkin. This season, it's fairly common to see it the other way around.

Ovechkin assisted on Backstrom's two third-period goals Thursday night, shifting the momentum in the Washington Capitals' 5-2 win over the Ottawa Senators. Backstrom has 17 goals this season, on pace to obliterate his career high of 22.

"He showed a lot of leadership, because I thought we were floundering in the second period when it was 2-1," Washington coach Bruce Boudreau said. "And he comes out in the third period and he gets two goals. He was just determined, and that's what's making him one of the best."

The final tally from the game: two goals and an assist for Backstrom, one goal and two assists for Ovechkin. For the season, Backstrom has assisted on 10 of Ovechkin's 27 goals, while the league's two-time reigning MVP has helped Backstrom nine times.

Boyd Gordon and Mike Knuble scored in the first period for the Capitals, who are 2-0 since Ovechkin was made captain earlier this week. Chris Phillips scored for the Senators in the second period, and Jonathan Cheechoo added one late in the third.

Jose Theodore made 26 saves to get his first win since December 15. The veteran, pushed this season for playing time by youngsters Michal Neuvirth and Semyon Varlamov, had played in only one of seven previous games. Neuvirth has handled most of the starts recently while Varlamov recovers from groin and knee injuries.

"It's not an easy position," Theodore said. "There's always somebody behind you pushing. I didn't play a lot the last couple of weeks, but I worked hard in practice. Tonight right off the bat I felt I controlled the game. I controlled my rebounds, which is something I've been working on."

The Capitals improved to 14-3-3 at home, while the Senators remain ineffective on the road. Ottawa has lost 12 of 18 away games this season, including 11 of 14. They've lost seven straight at the Verizon Center, allowing four or more goals in each game.

In other games, it was: Blackhawks 5, Bruins 2; Canucks 4, Coyotes 0; Red Wings 2, Kings 1; Flyers 7, Red Wings 4; Thrashers 2, Rangers 1 (shootout), Canadiens 2, Panthers 0, Predators 4, Hurricanes 2; Blue Jackets 4, Oilers 2; and Ducks 4, Blues 2.

In Boston, the Chicago Blackhawks came from two goals down to beat the Boston Bruins 5-2 on Thursday, reclaiming the outright NHL lead.

Duncan Keith scored two goals and assisted on another to help Chicago.

Keith and Tomas Kopecky tied it before the end of the first period. Andrew Ladd gave Chicago the lead inside two minutes of the second, and Keith made it 4-2 midway through the period. Patrick Kane completed the scoring with two minutes left.

The win moved Chicago two points clear of San Jose for the league lead.

In Vancouver, Alex Burrows scored three goals for his second straight hat trick as Vancouver downed Phoenix.

Roberto Luongo made 31 saves for his 50th NHL shutout.
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