NHL: Boston 3, Washington 2

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BOSTON, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Tim Thomas was sorely tested in the third period Saturday but stood up to 25 Washington shots, backstopping the Boston Bruins to a 3-2 win over the Capitals.

Thomas, who made 39 saves overall, turned aside shot after shot in the final period as the Caps struggled to break a seven-game losing streak. But in the end, he allowed only a single third-period tally, to Karl Alzner, which brought Washington to within one.

The Bruins got a goal and an assist each from Patrice Bergeron and Blake Wheeler. Andrew Ference added a first-period goal as Boston snapped a three-game losing streak.

Michal Neuvirth turned aside 18-of-21 shots, but it wasn't enough to stop the Capitals' slide, which reached eight straight games with the latest setback.