NHL: Boston 5, Ottawa 3

BOSTON, March 12 (UPI) -- Phil Kessel scored twice in the third period Thursday night when the Boston Bruins beat the Ottawa Senators 5-3 to break a two-game skid.

Kessel's second goal of the night, his 29th of the season, was an empty net with under a minute left.

P.J. Axelsson had one goal and one assist. Aaron Ward and Chuck Kobasew also scored once each, and Tim Thomas was credited with 25 saves on 28 shots for the Bruins, who have won only twice in their last seven contests, but remain six points ahead of New Jersey for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

Also, they improved to 4-0 this season against the Senators, and have won six straight and eight of the last nine meetings between the teams overall.

Ottawa got two goals from Jason Spezza and one from Christoph Schubert.

Alex Auld was beaten four times on 21 shots for the Senators, who had won four in a row.