Michael Nylander scored his first goal in 27 games as the Capitals recorded a 2-1 win over the Canadiens.

Nicklas Backstrom netted a power-play goal and rookie Simeon Varlamov turned aside 32 shots in his NHL debut for Washington, who improved to 5-1-0 in their last six games.

Defenceman Patrice Brisebois tallied and Jaroslav Halak made 24 saves for Montreal, who wrapped up their seven-game homestand with a 4-2-1 record.

Captain Patrick Marleau scored two goals - including the game-winner with 5:03 left in the third period - and set up another as the San Jose Sharks erased a two-goal deficit and posted a 5-4 victory over the St Louis Blues.

Mike Grier, Devin Setoguchi and Ryane Clowe also tallied for the Sharks, who have not lost at "The Shark Tank" in regulation since February 14. They have posted an astonishing 23-0-3 record at the HP Pavilion over that stretch.

Michael Ryder scored two goals and Phil Kessel extended his points streak to 15 games with a tally and an assist as the Boston Bruins posted their 11th consecutive home victory with a 4-2 triumph over the Atlanta Thrashers.

Defenceman Dennis Wideman also tallied and David Krejci collected three assists for the Bruins, who swept the home-and-home series by outscoring the Thrashers 11-5.

Erik Ersberg made 33 saves and captain Dustin Brown notched a pair of assists as the Los Angeles Kings extended the Minnesota Wild's losing streak to four games with a 3-1 victory.

Playing for the first time in a week, Dwayne Roloson turned aside all 23 shots he faced as the Edmonton Oilers recorded a 3-0 triumph over the Vancouver Canucks in a battle of Northwest Division rivals. Dustin Penner, Ales Hemsky and Robert Nilsson scored for Edmonton.

Mike Knuble scored two of his team's four power-play goals, sparking the streaking Philadelphia Flyers to a 6-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Thomas Vanek raised his league-leading goals total to 24 with a pair as the Buffalo Sabres halted the New Jersey Devils' five-game home winning streak with a 4-2 victory.

Johan Franzen scored twice in regulation and Jiri Hudler netted the decisive goal of the shootout in the fourth round to lift the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-4 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes.

Martin Gerber stopped all 24 shots he faced as the Ottawa Senators recorded their first shutout of the season with a 2-0 triumph over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Rookie Steve Mason made 24 saves as the Columbus Blue Jackets received goals from three different players en route to a 3-1 triumph over the New York Islanders.

Henrik Lundqvist shook off his worst performance of the season with another shootout win. Lundqvist turned aside all five shooters he faced and captain Chris Drury scored the lone goal of the bonus format as the New York Rangers edged the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2.

Finally, Dan Ellis made 27 saves and Joel Ward scored two goals as the Nashville Predators blanked the Dallas Stars 3-0.