Capitals stay perfect outdoors
Overcome Leafs, power outage at Naval Academy before 29,000-plus fans
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Alex Ovechkin moved closer to 600 career goals and the Washington Capitals put on an offensive showcase in beating the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 outdoors Saturday night at the U.S. Naval Academy.
The crowd was announced at 29,516.
Ovechkin scored his 40th goal of the season and 598th of his career. Evgeny Kuznetsov, Nicklas Backstrom, John Carlson and Jakub Vrana also scored for Washington, which hardly looked like a team that had recently lost four of six to shrink its large lead atop the Metropolitan Division.
The Capitals got 27 saves from Braden Holtby in their second consecutive victory. They improved to 3-0-0 in outdoor games.
The Capitals were lights out well before the lights went out at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, a power surge that caused a roughly 15-minute delay midway through the third period. The lopsided effort sent many fans to the exits at the second intermission, though some of those remaining used their cellphones to light the stadium during the extended stoppage.
LIGHTNING 7, FLYERS 6 (SO): In Tampa, Fla., Steven Stamkos had two goals and three assists for a career-high five points and added a shootout goal in Tampa Bay’s victory over Philadelphia.
Brayden Point also scored in the shootout to help Tampa Bay improve to 6-0-1 in its past seven.
Victor Hedman had two goals and two assists and tied his career high with four points.
PENGUINS 3, ISLANDERS 2
(OT): In Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby finished off a 2-on-1 by burying a shot past Chris Gibson 3:48 into overtime to give Pittsburgh a win over New York.
Derick Brassard’s first goal with Pittsburgh tied it with less than nine minutes to go in regulation. The Penguins killed off a penalty early in the extra period before Crosby’s 22nd goal of the season helped Pittsburgh snap a three-game losing streak.
STARS 3, BLUES 2 (OT): In Dallas, Jamie Benn scored 3:04 into overtime as Dallas rallied to beat St. Louis.
Benn’s winner from the high slot came after Alexander Radulov pulled Dallas even with 2:56 remaining in regulation when he chipped in a pass from Tyler Seguin after a shot from Benn went over net and caromed off the end boards.
BRUINS 2, CANADIENS 1 (OT): In Boston, Brad Marchand scored 2:06 into overtime to lift Boston to a comeback victory over Montreal.
It was the Bruins’ third straight victory and completed their fourgame sweep of the season series.
Marchand had the puck along the left boards, circled the net and snapped in a wrist shot for the Bruins’ 50th shot on goal.
BLACKHAWKS 5, KINGS 3: In Los Angeles, Jonathan Toews broke a tie on a power play with 1:58 left as Chicago beat Los Angeles to snap a seven-game road losing streak.
Chicago tied it with 5:36 to go when Los Angeles’ Derek Forbort failed to clear the puck in front of the net, instead sending it right to Vinnie Hinostroza for a shot past goalie past Jonathan Quick.
COYOTES 2, SENATORS 1: In Glendale, Ariz., Antti Raanta made 23 saves as Arizona rallied to beat Ottawa. Oliver EkmanLarsson and Jordan Martinook scored to help Arizona improve to 8-2-1 in its last 11 games.