NHL STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS : Bruins Put Canadiens on Ropes, 4-1

Cam Neely completed a hat trick by scoring twice in an 11-second span in the third period and the Boston Bruins pushed the Montreal Canadiens to the brink of elimination with a 4-1 victory Thursday night at Boston.

Craig Janney assisted on every goal for the Bruins, who have a 3-2 lead in the Adams Division finals heading into Game 6 Saturday night at Boston. Game 7, if necessary, will be played Monday night at Boston.

Boston was leading, 2-1, when Neely scored on a power play at 7:58 of the third period, nine seconds after a penalty to Mathieu Schneider for cross-checking. At 8:09, he beat Montreal’s Patrick Roy again from 12 feet.

Neely took the playoff goal-scoring lead with 11, one more than Brett Hull of St. Louis.

Vladimir Ruzicka’s goal with 58 seconds left in the second period put the Bruins ahead, 2-1.

Neely and Montreal’s Brian Skrudland scored in the final minute of the first period.

Pittsburgh 4, Washington 1--Tom Barrasso made 33 saves and the Penguins finished off the Capitals in five games at Pittsburgh to reach the Wales Conference finals for the first time by winning the Patrick Division title.

The Penguins won the last three games against the Capitals and have won six of their last seven. They will play at Boston or Montreal Wednesday night.

Barrasso, who returned for Game 3 after missing four games because of an injured shoulder, limited the Capitals to one goal for the third consecutive game. He has stopped 97 of 100 shots.

Joe Mullen and Jaromir Jagr each had a goal and an assist for the Penguins.