Ovechkin adds one to historic hat trick
WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin scored four goals to become the first player in 100 years with back-to-back hat tricks to open a season as the Washington Capitals beat the Montreal Canadiens 6-1 on Saturday night.
Ovechkin had three goals in the third period in Thursday’s victory at Ottawa and then matched the feat while helping chase Montreal goalie Carey Price in the first period Saturday. He added his fourth goal at 16:46 of the second against Al Montoya.
Ovechkin jokingly credited the outburst to his Russian sister-in-law, who has been visiting the U.S. this week.
“Every time she’s in town like I score a hat trick,” Ovechkin said. “Back-to-back and she’s leaving Monday. I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to talk to someone to keep her here.”
It was the fourth fourgoal game of his career and second against the Canadiens.
Three players had hat tricks in the first two games of the 1917-18 season — Cy Denneny of Ottawa, Joe Malone of Montreal and Reg Noble of Toronto, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
In other pro hockey news:
• Evgeni Malkin scored, Matt Murray stopped 26 shots and the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the visiting Nashville Predators 4-0 in a Stanley Cup Final rematch.
Olli Maatta, Ryan Reaves and Jake Guentzel also scored in Pittsburgh’s first victory in its third game of the season. The two-time defending champion Penguins were coming off an ugly 10-1 loss at Chicago at Thursday.