Ovechkin, Capitals post rare victory over Sharks

WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin scored his Nhl-leading 20th goal and assisted on another, helping the Washington Capitals snap their recent run of futility against the San Jose Sharks with a

4-1 victory Monday.

The Capitals beat the

Sharks for the fourth time in 18 meetings since Ovechkin entered the league in 2005-06. It’s just Washington’s second regulation win against San Jose in that time and first since Oct. 15, 2009. It ended a four-game skid in the series.

Halting the Sharks’ recent mastery came at a cost: T.J. Oshie left in the second period with an upper-body injury and didn’t return. As Oshie was engaged with Logan Couture and falling down along the boards, he took Joe Thornton’s backside to the head.

Tom Wilson took exception to Thornton’s hit and fought him in the third period of a chippy game that also included a fight between Alex Chiasson and Barclay Goodrow.

Before those tensions rose, Ovechkin continued his climb up the career list with his 578th goal, passing Hall of Famer Mark Recchi for 20th. He’s the 11th player in NHL history to score at least 20 goals in each of his first 13 seasons.

Ovechkin turned several defenders inside out and made a perfect pass to set up Brett Connolly’s power-play goal.

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At Calgary, Alberta, Scott Laughton scored twice to back Brian Elliott, who had 43 saves, as Philadelphia overcame a 45-21 disadvantage in shots and halted an 10-game skid.

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At Sunrise, Fla., Mathew Barzal scored the decisive shootout goal, and Jaroslav Halak had 39 saves through overtime and stopped all three Florida shootout attempts.

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At Nashville, Tenn., Craig Smith had two goals and an assist to back winner Pekka Rinne, who had 36 saves.

Flyers 5, Flames 2 — Islanders 5, Panthers 4,SO— Predators 5, Bruins 3 —