Mantha, Ovechkin lead Caps past Flyers
WASHINGTON — Anthony Mantha had a two points in his Washington debut, Alex
Ovechkin scored the 728th goal of his NHL career and the Capitals beat the Philadelphia Flyers 6-1 Tuesday night for their third consecutive victory.
The East Division-leading Capitals went 3 for 3 on the power play as part of another offensive outburst. Mantha picked up an assist on Tom Wilson’s goal in the first period, then showed off his shot in the second for his 12th of the season.
Ovechkin scored his team-leading 22nd in the third, beating Brian Elliott from his trademark spot inside the faceoff circle on the power play. The Capitals’ captain is now three back of Marcel Dionne for fifth on the career goals list.
Conor Sheary, Wilson, Nicklas Backstrom and Carl Hagelin scored the other goals.
Sheary added two assists for a three-point game. Ilya Samsonov made 29 saves for his 10th victory of the season.
Sean Couturier scored Philadelphia’s only goal, Elliott allowed six goals on 32 shots and the Flyers lost for the sixth time in eight games.
■ Rangers 3, Devils 0: AtNewark, N.J., Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin each scored to back Igor Shesterkin, who made 27 saves for his first NHL shutout.
■ Bruins 3, Sabres 2, SO: At Boston, Charlie Coyle and Jake Debrusk scored in Boston’s two chances in the shootout as Jeremy Swayman made 21 saves and stopped Buffalo’s two shootout attempts.
■ Flames 3, Maple Leafs 2, OT: At Toronto, Johnny Gaudreau scored 36 seconds into overtime to back Jacob Markstrom, who stopped 24 shots.
■ Predators 7, Lightning 2: At Nashville, Tenn., Roman Josi had a goal and an assist in Nashville’s three-goal first period. Viktor Arvidsson added two goals and an assist.
■ Panthers 3, Stars 2, OT: At Dallas, Frank Vatrano scored a power-play goal with 1:51 left in overtime, and Chris Driedger made 24 saves for Florida, which snapped a three-game losing streak.