Ovechkin snaps out of slump as Caps top Wild

Alexander Ovechkin ended a 10-game scoreless drought with a second-period goal and the Washington Capitals halted their four-game losing streak on Tuesday night with a 4-2 win over the Minnesota Wild in a battle of conference leaders.

Nate Schmidt, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Jay Beagle also scored for the Capitals, while Braden Holtby stopped 30 shots to end his three-game losing streak and pick up his 35th win.

Devon Dubnyk made 36 saves for the Wild, who got goals from Matt Dumba and Eric Staal.

In other NHL action, Jonathan Marchessault scored two goals and Thomas Vanek added a career-high four assists as the Florida Panthers broke a five-game losing streak, defeating the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs 7-2.

The Panthers also got goals from Aleksander Barkov, Colton Sceviour (short-handed), Reilly Smith, Jussi Jokinen (power play) and Keith Yandle.

Leo Komarov and Nikita Soshnikov scored for the Maple Leafs in defeat.

Also, Patrick Kane scored a goal and an assist to help the Chicago Blackhawks top the Montreal Canadiens 4-2.

Jonathan Toews, Johnny Oduya and Artemi Panarin also scored for the Blackhawks, who took over first place in the Central Division.

Meanwhile, seven players made the scoresheet with goals for the Edmonton Oilers as they finally got some traction going during their eight-game run at home with a 7-1 victory over the Dallas Stars.

Connor McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Benoit Pouliot, Oscar Klefbom, Darnell Nurse, David Desharnais and Patrick Maroon scored for the Oilers, who snapped a three-game losing streak to improve to 2-2-1 on the lengthy home-stand.

Brett Ritchie replied for the Stars, who have lost three HBNFT JO B SPX