Kuznetsov, Capitals defeat Avalanche
WASHINGTON — Evgeny Kuznetsov scored his first two goals of the season, Alex Ovechkin added the 734th of his NHL career into an empty net and the Washington Capitals beat the Colorado Avalanche 6-3 Tuesday night.
Kuznetsov was the most noticeable player on the ice from his first shift on, skating around defenders with ease and showing off the talent that made him the Capitals’ leading scorer on their 2018 Stanley Cup run. The Russian center who struggled last season and was intent on a bounce-back performance brought back his flapping wings bird celebration that was fitting on a night he showed some of the best he can offer.
In true “Kuzy” fashion, it wasn’t without a hiccup or two. Kuznetsov also turned the puck over on Colorado’s short-handed goal and made a few other questionable decisions with the puck along the way.
Especially without top center Nicklas Backstrom for at least their first 10 games, the Capitals will take the good and bad of Kuznetsov if he produces like this. Kuznetsov picked up a secondary assist on Ovechkin’s empty-netter with 2:21 left to give him a three-point night.
He has five points through three games, tied with Ovechkin for the team lead in scoring.
Nick Jensen, Anthony Mantha and Nic Dowd also scored for Washington, and Ilya Samsonov made 24 saves in his season debut. Mantha’s goal was the 100th of his career.
■ Stars 2, Penguins 1: At Pittsburgh, Joe Pavelski and Alexander Radulov both beat Pittsburgh goaltender Tristan Jarry with backhands in a shootout.
■ Sabres 5, Canucks 2: At Buffalo, N.Y., Kyle Okposo and Zemgus Girgensons each added a goal and an assist to back
Craig Anderson, who made 32 saves.
■ Devils 4, Kraken 2: At Newark, N.J., Rookie Dawson Mercer and Damon Severson scored first-period goals to back Jonathan Bernier, who finished with 27 saves.
■ Sharks 5, Canadiens 0:
At Montreal, Rookie Jonathan Dahlen scored his first two goals in his second career game. Erik Karlsson and Timo Meir each added a goal and two assists.
■ Panthers 4, Lightning 1: At Tampa, Fla., Aleksander Barkov scored the go-ahead goal 3:40 into the third period as Florida won its third straight game.
■ Red Wings 4, Blue Jackets 1: At Detroit, Lucas Raymond made his first NHL goal a big one for Detroit, breaking a scoreless tie at 6:38 of the third period.
■ Islanders 4, Blackhawks 1: At Chicago, Oliver Wahlstrom scored twice in the third period to back Ilya Sorokin, who made 39 saves.
■ Predators 2, Kings 1: At Nashville, Tenn., Matt Duchene and Tanner Jeannot scored in the third period to back Juuse Saros, who stopped 25 shots.
■ Wild 6, Jets 5: At Minnesota, Joel Eriksson Ek had a hat trick, tying the game with 59 seconds remaining in regulation and winning it on a power play in overtime.
■ Oilers 6, Ducks 5: At Edmonton, Connor Mcdavid had a goal and two assists, Zack Kassian scored two goals, and Jesse Puljujarvi and Ryan Nugent-hopkins each added two assists.