WASHINGTON - Brian Boucher became the first NHL goalie in almost 55 years to record four consecutive shutouts, making 27 saves in the Phoenix Coyotes' 3-0 victory over the Capitals Wednesday night.
The last goalie with four straight shutouts was Montreal's Bill Durnan, who accomplished the feat from Feb. 26-March 6, 1949.
"I've had some help along the way, but ... you need luck on your side too," Boucher said. "They hit some posts and guys have been blocking a lot of shots."
Boucher stretched his shutout streak to 265:45, and trails only Durnan's modern-era NHL record of 309:21, also set in 1949.
Shane Doan had a goal and an assist and Daymond Langkow and Ladislav Nagy also scored for the Coyotes, 4-0-4 in their past eight road games.
The Capitals have lost three straight and are 0-6-1 in their last seven, scoring only eight goals during that stretch.
Boucher, elevated from third string when Zac Bierk sustained a groin injury in mid November, faced only six shots in the first period, but had to make two tough saves. Washington failed on two power plays that produced four shots late in the third period, including a 25-second two-man advantage.
Boucher will be back in goal Friday night in Minnesota.
BRUINS 3, RED WINGS 0: Andrew Raycroft made 36 saves for his second career shutout. Joe Thornton, Travis Green and Mike Knuble scored to help the Bruins snap Detroit's four-game winning streak and 12-game home unbeaten streak (11-0-1).
PENGUINS 4, DEVILS 2: Jean-Sebastien Aubin made 31 saves as Pittsburgh notched just its third road win of the season and first since Nov. 14 in Buffalo. The Penguins also snapped a four-game losing streak on goals by Mike Eastwood, Ryan Malone, Eric Meloche and Matt Bradley. Aubin came up strong in the third period, stopping 14 of 15 shots. He made a spectacular diving glove save on Eric Rasmussen with 33.6 seconds remaining to preserve the victory.
FLYERS 1, SABRES 1: Martin Biron made 44 saves and Alexei Zhitnik scored a power-play goal in the second period to help host Buffalo save a tie. John LeClair scored for Philadelphia, and Robert Esche stopped 20 shots. The Atlantic Division-leading Flyers finished an eight-game road trip 2-3-2-1.
WILD 7, BLACKHAWKS 4: Host Minnesota broke out of its offensive slump with a franchise-record seven goals, posting its first victory since beating Columbus on Dec. 20. Eric Chouinard had two goals, his first since coming to Minnesota last month in a trade with Philadelphia. Dwayne Roloson stopped 15 of 16 shots in relief of Manny Fernandez, who allowed three goals on 13 shots.
SUNDIN SITS: Maple Leafs star Mats Sundin was suspended for one game for throwing his broken stick into the stands in Tuesday night's victory over the Predators. Sundin was about to take a shot when the stick snapped in the second period. He blindly backhanded the broken shaft into the lower tier at Air Canada Centre. No one was injured and Sundin was not penalized. But he forfeits a game check of $47,685 to the Players Emergency Assistance Fund.
GRETZKY THEFT: A thief apparently walked into Wayne Gretzky's unlocked Scottsdale, Ariz., home during the weekend, grabbed a set of car keys and drove off with the hockey legend's black 2002 Lincoln Navigator, police said. No information was available on whether Gretzky, the Coyotes' managing partner, was home.
BLUE JACKETS: Assistant Newell Brown was reassigned for the rest of the season because of differences with team president and general manager Doug MacLean. Brown's new job was not disclosed, but he will not be coaching.
STARS: Backup goaltender Ron Tugnutt was sent to the minor leagues after clearing waivers, and rookie goalie Mike Smith was recalled from AHL Utah.
