Bruins keep Caps reeling

Andrew Ference scored his first goal in 100 games to help the host Boston Bruins beat Washington, 3-2, on Saturday night and send the Capitals to their eighth straight loss.

The Bruins led, 3-0, after one period and held on as the Capitals cut the deficit to one goal, outshooting Boston, 26-2, in the third period. Tim Thomas made 39 saves in all, including a stop on Alex Ovechkin with 11 seconds left while Capitals goalie Michal Neuvirth was off for an extra skater.

Elsewhere: Eric Staal scored three goals for the host Carolina Hurricanes, who held on to beat the Anaheim Ducks, 4-2. . . . Eric Boulton scored three times for his first career NHL hat trick and the host Atlanta Thrashers routed the New Jersey Devils, 7-1. . . . Kyle Turris scored Phoenix's third goal of the shoot-out and the Coyotes rallied to beat the host New York Islanders, 4-3. . . . Steven Stamkos scored his 25th goal of the season as the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Buffalo Sabres, 3-1. Tampa Bay also got a goal from Simon Gagne. . . . Rookie Logan Couture scored twice to lead the host San Jose Sharks to a 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues. . . . Ryan Smyth scored twice and the Los Angeles Kings broke loose for four goals in the first period of a 6-1 rout of host Nashville, ending the Predators' five-game win streak.

Boo, bah and humbug

Referee Chris Rooney waved off a Blue Jackets goal by Derek Dorsett in the second period, saying Columbus' Ethan Moreau interfered with Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen outside the crease. A crowd of 13,973 in Columbus booed the officials the rest of the night. It didn't work as Brad Richards scored twice and the Dallas Stars beat the Blue Jackets, 2-1.

Fehr is officially head of NHLPA

Don Fehr became the new executive director of the National Hockey League Players' Association on Saturday after union members voted overwhelmingly to accept the executive board's endorsement. The 62-year-old Fehr is the former executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association. He held that post from 1983 until 2009.

The collective-bargaining agreement between the union and league is set to expire in September 2012.

- Associated Press