Carlson’s three-point night lends assist to Caps’ win over Rangers

WASHINGTON >> John Carlson added three assists to his historic start, T.J. Oshie scored two power-play goals and the Washington Capitals beat the New York Rangers 5-2 Friday night for their second consecutive home victory.

Carlson assisted on each of Oshie’s goals and one by Michal Kempny in the Czech defenseman’s return from a hamstring injury. With 17 points, Carlson tied Edmonton captain Connor McDavid for most in the NHL, and he leads the league with 14 assists.

Carlson was already the seventh defenseman in NHL history with 14-plus points in his first eight games of the season and the first to do so in 30 years. He has six multipoint games in nine opportunities and set the franchise record for most points by a defenseman in October.

PENGUINS 4, STARS 2 >> Kris Letang scored twice, including the go-ahead goal in the third period, and undermanned Pittsburgh rallied to win its fifth straight, over Dallas. AVALANCHE 5, PANTHERS 4 >> Nathan MacKinnon scored 3:30 into overtime to give Colorado its sixth victory in seven games this season, over Florida.

Devils sign Hischier to $50.75 million, 7-year extension

No. 1 in the 2017 NHL draft, Nico Hischier will now be with the New Jersey Devils for a number of years to come.

The Devils signed Hischier to a $50.75 million, seven-year contract extension that counts $7.25 million against the salary cap through the 2026-27 season. Committing long term to Hischier is another important move for New Jersey,.

“I like the direction the organization is going in, and the confidence they give me is all a player can ask for,” Hischier said.