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Bruins beat Caps, clinch Atlantic Division crown

Mar 29, 2014 - 8:33 PM Washington, DC (SportsNetwork.com) - Jarome Iginla scored twice as the Boston Bruins clinched the Atlantic Division title with a 4-2 win over the Washington Capitals.

Patrice Bergeron extended his goal-scoring streak to six games, while Carl Soderberg and Milan Lucic also lit the lamp. David Krejci added two assists as the Bruins picked up a point in the standings for the 15th straight game.

"We knew how desperate [Washington] was, we know where they are in the standings and how hungry they would be here at home and trying to match that desperation and intensity early," said Iginla.

Chad Johnson made 31 saves for Boston, which won its eighth straight road game, tying the club record that was set in 1971-72 and 1992-93.

Jason Chimera and Evgeny Kuznetsov supplied Washington's two markers as the Capitals lost their second straight game and third in their last four. Braden Holtby allowed four goals on 36 shots.

"Obviously, it's frustrating. It would have been a huge win for us. But you have to give the Bruins credit. They're first in the East for a reason," said Holtby. "It was one of those games. We need to have it no matter what if want to give ourselves the best chance. Unfortunately we didn't, so we have to move on and focus on the next game."

After a scoreless first, Iginla got the Bruins on the board 2:48 into the second. Soderberg exited the box after serving a slashing minor, and then chipped a backhand pass into the middle from along the boards. Iginla tracked down the pass and wristed the puck past Holtby for his 29th of the season.

Boston added two more goals in a span of 41 seconds. Soderberg camped out in front of Holtby and redirected Bergeron's wrist shot through the legs of the Washington netminder at 7:35. Iginla notched his second of the game at the 8:16 mark after he deposited his own rebound into the net.

The hosts finally solved Johnson with 10 seconds to go in the second. Mike Green moved up the right wing and threw the puck on net. Chimera skated in and tapped the puck past Johnson to make it a 3-1 game.

The Bruins regained their three-goal lead in the third after Bergeron guided home a rebound on the power play at 13:17.

Kuznetsov added a goal for Washington with 55 seconds remaining. Johnson came out of his crease to challenge Troy Brouwer, but could not get back in position before the Russian rookie's sharp-angle shot found twine.

Game Notes

Johnson improved to 11-0-1 in his last 12 starts and has not lost since Dec. 28 against Ottawa ... Holtby played in his 100th NHL game ... Iginla is now tied with Guy Lafleur for 24th on the all-time goals list with 560 goals. Hall of Fame right winger Lafleur played in the NHL for 17 seasons with the Canadiens, Rangers, and Nordiques and was the first player to score 50 goals and 100 points in six straight seasons.