Capitals snap Rangers' win streak

Alexander Semin scored twice, Troy Brouwer netted the tiebreaking goal midway through the second period, and the host

Washington Capitals

halted the

New York Rangers'

winning streak at five games with a 4-1 victory Wednesday night.

With the game tied, 1-1, Brouwer got tangled with Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh in front of the New York goal. Brouwer not only screened goalie Martin Biron but redirected John Carlson's drive from the left point for his 10th goal of the season.

Marcus Johansson also scored for the Capitals, who snapped a two-game skid by beating the top team in the Eastern Conference. Alex Ovechkin had two assists.

Elsewhere: Petr Sykora scored two goals to lead the New Jersey Devils to a 3-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres in Newark, N.J. Zach Parise also scored for the Devils. . . . Colin Wilson scored the only goal in the shootout, and the host Nashville Predators sent the Minnesota Wild to their eighth consecutive loss with a 2-1 victory.

The

Dallas Stars

activated goaltender Kari Lehtonen from injured reserve after he missed 12 games with a lower-body injury.

Lehtonen was leading the NHL with 13 wins when he got hurt Nov. 26 in a game against Phoenix.

Defenseman Stephane Robidas, who has missed three games with a lower-body injury, was placed on injured reserve.

Minnesota's

Jared Spurgeon missed his first game because of an undisclosed leg injury after he was hit by

Colorado's

Cody McLeod, who faced no discipline for his five-minute boarding major and game misconduct in Monday's Wild loss.

"We didn't feel there was any extra force behind the hit," NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan told the Star Tribune of Minneapolis.

- Inquirer wire services