NHL: Boston 4, Washington 3

WASHINGTON, April 16 (UPI) -- Zdeno Chara scored the go-ahead goal late in the third period Monday, lifting the Boston Bruins to a 4-3 win over Washington in a first-round playoff game.

With 1:53 left in regulation and the score tied 3-3, Patrice Bergeron got the puck and fed it to Chara on the right wing, who one-timed a shot at Washington goalie Braden Holtby.

The shot deflected off the stick of Capitals defenseman Roman Hamrlik and got past Holtby, handing the Bruins a victory and a 2-games-to-1 lead in their Eastern Conference quarterfinals series.

Chara added two assists while Rich Peverley, Daniel Paille and Brian Rolston scored for the Bruins.

Tim Thomas earned the victory by stopping 29-of-32 shots.

Alexander Semin, Alex Ovechkin and Brooks Laich scored for the Caps, who will try to even the series when they host Game 4 Thursday.

Holtby finished with 25 saves.