Ovechkin helps Capitals end four-game skid
Chicago wins, takes over lead in Central
WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin ended the longest goal-scoring drought of his career and the Washington Capitals held on to beat the Minnesota Wild 4-2 on Tuesday night, snapping a season-worst four-game losing streak.
Ovechkin hadn’t scored in 10 games or had an even-strength goal in 18 before firing a one-timer by NHL save percentage leader Devan Dubnyk in the second period. Ovechkin’s 28th goal of the season came one second after a power play expired.
Nate Schmidt, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Jay Beagle also scored for the NHL-leading Capitals, who recaptured sole possession of first place in the Metropolitan Division.
Braden Holtby stopped 32 shots as the Capitals won for the first time since March 4 and moved two points up on Pittsburgh.
Minnesota lost for the fifth time in seven games despite goals from Matt Dumba and Eric Staal. Dubnyk made 36 saves.
BLACKHAWKS 4, CANADIENS 2: In Montreal, Patrick Kane had a goal and two assists, and Corey Crawford made 40 saves to lead Chicago past Montreal.
Johnny Oduya, Artemi Panarin and Jonathan Toews, into an empty net, scored for the Blackhawks, who jumped over Minnesota and lead the Central Division with 93 points.
Paul Byron and Shea Weber scored for Montreal.
Carey Price made 20 saves and became the third Canadiens goaltender to play 500 games, joining Patrick Roy (551) and Jacques Plante (556).
The Canadiens have not beaten Chicago since 2014 (0-6-1). ISLANDERS 3, HURRICANES 2 (OT): In Raleigh, N.C., John Tavares scored 34 seconds into overtime to lift New York over Carolina.
Joshua Ho-Sang and Jason Chimera scored in the final 65 seconds of the second period to help the Islanders erase a 2-0 deficit and eventually claim what interim coach Doug Weight called a must-win game.
Tavares’ winner was set up by HoSang’s takeaway at center ice. Ho-Sang brought the puck across the blue line and fed a drop pass to Tavares, who snapped it past Cam Ward.
Joakim Nordstrom and Elias Lindholm scored for the Hurricanes, who have lost three of five but earned points in four straight.
Thomas Greiss made 30 saves one night after allowing four goals on 16 shots in relief during an 8-4 loss to the Hurricanes at home. Ward, who also gave up four goals in that game, made 31 saves for Carolina.
New York is tied with Tampa Bay for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of Toronto. The Islanders hold the tiebreaker.
LIGHTNING 2, SENATORS 1 (OT): In Ottawa, Victor Hedman scored with 55 seconds on the clock in overtime and Tampa Bay defeated Ottawa for its fourth straight victory.
Ottawa goalie Mike Condon made 35 saves and was nothing short of spectacular at times. Still, the Senators’ six-game was winning streak snapped.
Brayden Point also scored for the Lightning, and Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 31 shots. OILERS 7, STARS 1: In Edmonton, Alberta, Patrick Maroon had a goal and an assist as Edmonton snapped a three-game skid with a victory over Dallas.
Benoit Pouliot, Oscar Klefbom, Darnell Nurse, David Desharnais, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Connor McDavid also scored for the Oilers. PANTHERS 7, MAPLE LEAFS 2: In Sunrise, Fla., Jonathan Marchessault scored two goals, and Thomas Vanek had a career-high four assists as Florida topped Toronto to stop a five-game slide.
Aleksander Barkov had a goal and an assist for the Panthers, who won for only the second time in 10 games. Keith Yandle, Jussi Jokinen, Reilly Smith and Colton Sceviour also scored.
SHARKS 4, SABRES 1: In San Jose, Calif., Joe Pavelski scored twice to lead San Jose past Buffalo.
The Sharks peppered Sabres goalie Robin Lehner with 41 shots.