The Associated Press
Washington
Jay Beagle clinched the victory for the Capitals, scoring into an empty net with 2:08 to go.
Ovechkin’s second goal in two games and 15th overall followed a six-game drought. His resurgence comes after coach Barry Trotz placed Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom on the same line Wednesday night for the first time this season.
Although the Lightning (16-4-2) are off to the best start in franchise history, they couldn’t find a way to snap their run of poor outings against the Capitals, especially in Washington. Tampa Bay has lost five straight in the nation’s capital and is 2-8 in its last 10 games against the Caps.
Islanders 5, Flyers 4 (ot)
Philadelphia
Rookie Mathew Barzal, Cal Clutterbuck, Jordan Eberle and Andrew Ladd scored in regulation and Thomas Greiss made 26 saves to help the Islanders win for the fifth time in six games. They moved six points ahead of the Flyers in the Metropolitan Division standings.
Jets 4, Ducks 1
Anaheim, Calif.
The Jets have won six of their last seven.
Wild 3, Avalanche 2 (so)
St. Paul, Minn.
Jason Zucker and Nino Niederreiter scored in regulation to help Minnesota improve to 6-1-1 in its past eight. Alex Stalock made 28 saves.
Golden Knights 5, Sharks 4 (ot)
Las Vegas
William Karlsson scored two goals for Vegas, and Shea Theodore and James Neal had a goal apiece.
Devils 3, Canucks 2
Newark, n.j.
The Devils were marking “Hockey Fights Cancer Night,” a battle especially meaningful to Boyle, who was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia during training camp and missed the first 10 games of the season while undergoing treatment.
The Prudential Center erupted with cheers when Boyle, set up by a beautiful drop pass from Will Butcher, scored at 10:17 of the second period to snap a 1-1 tie.
Sabres 3, Oilers 1
Buffalo, n.y.
Jack Eichel, Jacob Josefson and Kyle Okposo, with an empty-netter, scored for Buffalo, which had gone 0-5-2 since beating Washington 3-1 on Nov. 7.
Blue Jackets 5, Senators 2
Columbus, Ohio
Sergei Bobrovsky turned back 24 shots for his 14th win in 19 starts.
Rangers 2, Red Wings 1 (ot)
New York
Zuccarello scored his fourth goal of the season, off assists from Brady Skjei and J.T. Miller. The Rangers improved to 12-9-2 with their third straight victory and ninth in 11 games.
Maple Leafs 5, Hurricanes 4
Raleigh, n.c.
Van Riemsdyk was one of four goal scorers in the second period for the Maple Leafs (15-8-1), who won for the seventh time in nine games.
Predators 2, Blues 0
St. Louis
Johansen’s scored his third goal of the season early in the first, and Rinne made it hold up, stopping 34 shots as he shut out St. Louis for the third time in his career.
