Lee Diekemper on hockey.

Capitals 3, Bruins 1: Caps goalie Brent Johnson had a solid night stopping 33 shots. Alex Ovechkin set up the Caps first goal and later had an empty netter. Word is Ovechkin is a regular visitor to the Russian embassy only because he can’t elsewhere find a good bowl of borscht.

Blackhawks 2, Senators 0: Patrick Kane’s power play goal in the first was all the offense the Blackhawks needed. With his head still spinning over recent events, a nervous and humbled Rod Blagojevich pleaded his innocence to the assembled Senators.

Sabres 4, Lightning 2: Thomas Vanek’s pair of goals in the second, his 21st and 22nd, completed the Sabres rally. Former president Bill Clinton visited the Lightning prior to the game, not because the Arkansas native has any interest in hockey but because he needed a good line on the BCS title game from Rick Tocchet.

Rangers 3, Threshers 2 (OT): Suddenly playing average hockey lately, the Blue Shirts got a needed win. Scott Gomez didn’t waste any time scoring seconds into overtime.