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NHL: Washington 2, Atlanta 1

WASHINGTON, April 1 (UPI) -- Matt Bradley scored the go-ahead goal midway through the third period Thursday, allowing Washington to equal a franchise record with a 2-1 win over Atlanta.

It was the 50th victory of the season for the Capitals, tying a team mark set in the 1985-86 season and matched last year. Washington halted a three-game losing streak and moved eight points in front of San Jose for the best record in the NHL.

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Nicklas Backstrom scored for the Capitals with 58 seconds left in the first period and Tim Stapleton tied it late in the second with his first goal of the season.

Bradley beat Ondrej Pavelec with a backhander with 10:14 to go in regulation. Semyon Varlamov made 19 saves to get the win and Pavelec stopped 22-of-24 shots.

Atlanta missed a chance to climb into a tie with Montreal, Philadelphia and Boston for the final three playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia and Boston lost Thursday and Montreal was idle.

The Thrashers have just four games remaining and the other three teams have five left.

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