Washington Capitals' Dmitry Orlov, left, of Russia, celebrates his goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets with teammate Matt Niskanen during the first period of Game 6 of an NHL first-round hockey playoff series Monday, April 23, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Washington Capitals' Dmitry Orlov, left, of Russia, celebrates his goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets with teammate Matt Niskanen during the first period of Game 6 of an NHL first-round hockey playoff series Monday, April 23, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete) Credit: Jay LaPrete

Columbus, Ohio — Alex Ovechkin scored twice and Braden Holtby had 35 saves as the Washington Capitals advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals with a 6-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets in Game 6 on Monday night.

The Capitals will next face Pittsburgh in the second round of the playoffs for a third straight year. The Penguins won each of the last two years on the way to claiming consecutive Stanley Cup championships.

Chandler Stephenson had a goal and an assist, and Dimitry Orlov, Devante Smith-Pelly and Lars Eller also tallied for Washington, which never trailed in the game after prevailing in overtime in Game 5 on Saturday.

Flames Hire Ex-Carolina Coach

Calgary, Alberta — The Calgary Flames have hired Bill Peters as the team’s head coach.

The Flames introduced Peters at a news conference on Monday at Scotiabank Saddledome. The 53-year-old from Three Hills, Alberta, resigned as head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday after four seasons and a year remaining on his contract.

The Flames fired Glen Gulutzan and assistants Dave Cameron and Paul Gerrard last week after missing the playoffs with a 37-35-10 record.

Wild Cuts GM Fletcher Loose

St. Paul, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild have split with longtime general manager Chuck Fletcher after the team’s first-round playoff exit.

Wild owner Craig Leipold said on Monday the team would not renew Fletcher’s contract.

Leipold said Fletcher and his staff “built a winning culture and a perennial playoff team,” but said he feels “it is time for a new approach aimed at delivering a Stanley Cup to the deserving fans of the State of Hockey.”

Fletcher was the Wild’s general manager for nine seasons.

The Wild have made six straight appearances in the playoffs. They were ousted in five games by Winnipeg this year.

While the team searches for a new general manager, Brent Flahr, senior vice president of hockey operations, will serve as acting GM.