Ovechkin pushes past Esposito in Caps’ win
Alex Ovechkin took sole possession of sixth place on the NHL’s career goal list in the most Alex Ovechkin way possible: ripping a onetimer past a goaltender from just inside the faceoff circle on the power play in a key game for the Capitals.
Ovechkin scored his 718th goal to pass Phil Esposito and became the second active player to record 1,300 points, vaulting host Washington into first place in the East Division by beating the Islanders 31 Tuesday night.
Ovechkin is 13 goals shy of tying Marcel Dionne for fifth and needs 177 more to break Wayne Gretzky’s record. Lightning 4, Stars 3: Braydon Point had a goal, an assist and the shootout winner, helping visiting Tampa Bay recover from a late meltdown to beat Dallas.
Avalanche 8, Ducks 4: Nathan MacKinnon and Samuel Girard scored 2:23 apart early in the third period, and host Colorado rallied for six unanswered goals to beat Anaheim.
Bruins 2, Penguins 1: Trent Frederic scored the lone goal of the third period and Boston beat host Pittsburgh. David Pastrnak scored his 13th on the power play for the Bruins.
Red Wings 4, Hurricanes 2: Adam Erne scored twice, Jonathan Bernier made 35 saves and host Detroit snapped Carolina’s winning streak at eight games.
Devils 3, Sabres 2: Miles Wood scored the tie-breaking goal on a power play early in the third period and New Jersey beat Buffalo to end an 11-game losing streak on home ice and send the Sabres to their 12th straight loss.
Wild 3, Coyotes 0: Kaapo Kahkonen made 31 saves in his second shutout of the season as Minnesota topped visiting Arizona.