Capitals Let Ranford Be Their Guide

In his first start since Dec. 27, Bill Ranford made 34 saves and even got an assist to frustrate his former team as the Washington Capitals earned their fourth consecutive victory, beating the visiting Boston Bruins, 4-1.

“It’s huge for me just to get into a game, win or lose,” said Ranford, getting only his third victory of the season in 12 games as all-star goalie Olaf Kolzig took a rare day off. “There was a little bit of butterflies going into the game.”

The only time the Bruins solved Ranford was on Anson Carter’s first-period power-play goal, even though the Bruins outshot the Capitals, 35-26.

After a 1-1 first period, Richard Zednik and Adam Oates scored second-period goals to put the Capitals in command.

Peter Bondra, with an assist from Ranford, finished the scoring with an empty-net goal in the game’s final minute.

The Bruins, who had killed 28 consecutive power plays, lost that streak when Phil Housley scored.

New Jersey 3, Montreal 1--Lyle Odelein and Bobby Holik gave the Devils a two-goal lead and they went on to beat the Canadiens easily at Montreal.

Outstanding goaltending from Montreal’s Andy Moog kept the score close as the Devils outshot Montreal, 41-20, and improved to 3-0 against the Canadiens this season. Mark Recchi pulled Montreal within a goal when he scored at 12:41 of the third period.

Devil goaltender Martin Brodeur was shaken up in the second period when Recchi’s skate caught him on the mask as Doug Bodger dumped the Canadien winger in the crease. Brodeur showed no ill effects the rest of the game.

NHL Notes

Igor Ulanov, a defenseman obtained by Montreal earlier this month, will sit out the rest of the season because of torn ligaments in his left knee. Ulanov tore the medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligaments when he collided with defense partner Peter Popovic on Wednesday against Boston. Star center Saku Koivu, who aggravated a rib muscle injury against Boston, said he will try to skate Tuesday and might return Thursday at Philadelphia.