NEWARK, N.J. — David Clarkson had a goal and an assist as the New Jersey Devils scored three times in the first period against Tim Thomas and held on for a 3-2 victory over the Boston Bruins on Monday night.

Clarkson took the shot that Rob Niedermayer deflected in and then scored on a breakaway — set up by goalie Martin Brodeur — to make in 2-0. Zach Parise finished the barrage that assured the Devils (41-24-3) their 18th straight .500-plus season.

Blake Wheeler scored for the third consecutive game to cut Boston's deficit to 3-1 at 43 seconds of the middle period, but the eighth-place Bruins failed to stretch their lead at the bottom of the Eastern Conference playoff race. Boston is one point ahead of the New York Rangers and has played one fewer game.

Blue Jackets 5, Oilers 3

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Antoine Vermette had two assists and scored the clinching empty-netter, and Kristian Huselius added a goal and three assists for Columbus.

Jake Voracek, Chris Clark and Marc Methot also scored for the Blue Jackets, who totaled only three goals in their previous two games. Derek Dorsett chipped in with two assists for the first multipoint game of his 91-game career.

It was a wild, wide-open game full of odd-man rushes. That wasn't a surprise, since the two teams rank near the bottom of the NHL in goals allowed.

Robert Nilsson and Aaron Johnson each had a goal and an assist and Dustin Penner also scored for the Oilers, who are just 1-14-1 on the road since mid-December.

Ovechkin suspended for Capitals' next 2 games

Ovechkin suspended two games

NEW YORK — Two-time MVP Alex Ovechkin was suspended Monday for the Washington Capitals' next two games because of a reckless hit.

The forward drove Chicago's Brian Campbell into the boards from behind in the first period Sunday and received a major penalty and a game misconduct. With the league's leading scorer kicked out of the game, the Capitals later came back from a 3-0 third-period deficit to win 4-3 in overtime.

"There's nothing I can do right now. He just fell and this happens," Ovechkin said after the game.

Because he also was suspended for two games earlier this season, Ovechkin is now considered a repeat offender under the collective bargaining agreement. He'll forfeit more than $232,000 in salary based on the number of games in the season instead of the number of days.

Ovechkin was suspended for two games Dec. 1 for a knee-to-knee hit on Carolina defenseman Tim Gleason.

Ovechkin will miss games Tuesday at Florida and Thursday at Carolina. He can return Saturday at Tampa Bay.

Campbell stayed down for several minutes before he was able to leave the ice with a trainer at his side and then headed to the locker room. He did not return to the game.

The Capitals showed Sunday why they have the NHL's best record and highest-scoring offense. They had three goals in the third period before Nicklas Backstrom scored unassisted in overtime for the win.

Celtics 119, Pistons 93

BOSTON — Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Michael Finley scored 15 points apiece, and Kevin Garnett had 14 points and eight rebounds on Monday night to help the Boston Celtics coast to a 119-93 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

Boston rested its starters in the fourth quarter while beating up on a non-contender for the second straight home game. But in between was a 104-93 loss at Cleveland that could be a more important measurement of where the Celtics stand in the playoff hunt.

Will Bynum had 16 points and seven assists, and Jason Maxiell had 11 points and 10 rebounds for the Pistons.

Rookie Jonas Jerebko scored all 10 of his points in the third quarter.

Knicks 94, 76ers 84

PHILADELPHIA — Danilo Gallinari scored 21 points, Toney Douglas added 20 and the New York Knicks won their second straight on the road by rallying past the struggling Philadelphia 76ers, 94-84 on Monday night.

Al Harrington contributed 15, Tracy McGrady scored 14 and Wilson Chandler had 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Knicks (24-43), who snapped the Dallas Mavericks' 13-game win streak with a convincing 128-94 victory last Saturday.

David Lee grabbed 16 rebounds as the Knicks improved to 2-2 on this five-game road trip.

Jrue Holiday scored 18 points, Willie Green added 17 and Andre Iguodala had 14 points and a career-high 17 rebounds for the Sixers (23-44), who have dropped five in a row and 10 of their last 11. The Sixers are just 10-22 at home.

Shaq rejoins Cavs

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Injured Cleveland center Shaquille O'Neal has rejoined the Cavaliers.

O'Neal, who has been out since tearing a ligament in his thumb on Feb. 25 and undergoing surgery, has been resting at home in Florida since the operation. He was back at the team's facility on Monday, but did not speak to reporters after the Cavs practiced and left for a game in Detroit.

General manager Danny Ferry said O'Neal met with doctors and will be starting rehabilitation. He will not be traveling with the team.

The Cavaliers, who traded for O'Neal last summer, are counting on having him back for the playoffs.