Print

Mail

wiki links

NHL: Ovechkin scores four to lift Caps past Canadiens

The Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin, second left, scores against Montreal Canadiens goaltender Cristobal Huet and Maxim Lapierre during the second period of their NHL game in Washington on Thursday. PHOTO: AP

Alex Ovechkin scored four goals, including the game-winner in overtime, to lead the Washington Capitals to a 5-4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday.

Ovechkin, who also had an assist, wrapped up the win 3:34 into overtime for the second four-goal game of his career. The first was last December.

"Today was special day," the Russian told reporters. "I broke my nose, I have stitches, I score four goals. Everything go to my face. It's the fifth time I broke my nose. It's okay."

The broken nose came on a shoulder check by Montreal's Francis Bouillon. The stitches were needed after the Canadiens' Alex Kovalev unintentionally hit Ovechkin in the face with his stick.

Neither of the painful distractions stopped the winger from taking the NHL points lead with 70 and boosting his league-leading goals tally to 43.

"He's an amazing person," Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau said.

Ovechkin scored in every period. He was responsible for the only goal of the first period, then joined Viktor Kozlov in second-period scores to help Washington open a 3-0 lead.

"Today was special day. I broke my nose, I have stitches, I score four goals. Everything go to my face. It's the fifth time I broke my nose. It's okay."

Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals left winger

After Sergei Kostitsyn and Andrei Kostitsyn scored in the second period for Montreal, Ovechkin struck again, tallying 12:30 into the third period.

Guillaume Latendresse forced overtime with two third-period goals, the second coming with just 33 seconds left in regulation.

Washington netminder Olaf Kolzig made 17 saves for the victory. Montreal's Cristobal Huet took the loss despite stopping 33 shots.

Hurricanes 3, Maple Leafs 2, OT

At Raleigh, North Carolina, Carolina captain Rod Brind'Amour scored with 1:40 left in overtime to beat Toronto.

Scott Walker had a goal and an assist and Tim Gleason also scored for Carolina. Toronto captain Mats Sundin scored with 11.4 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime.

Bruins 4, Senators 1

At Ottawa, Phil Kessel, Milan Lucic and Marc Savard scored early in the first period to help Boston win its third straight and snap Ottawa's two-game winning streak.

Savard, who extended his assists and points streaks to nine games each on Kessel's goal 28 seconds in, made it 3-0 with an unassisted goal at 8:21.

Antoine Vermette ruined Tim Thomas' shutout bid with 8:24 remaining on a power play.

Kings 3, Islanders 1

At Uniondale, New York, Rob Blake scored a rare power-play goal for Los Angeles in the third period, and Jason LaBarbera made 28 saves to lift the suddenly surging Kings over slumping New York.

Matt Moulson and Alexander Frolov also scored for the Los Angeles Kings, who still have an NHL-low 45 points, but are 6-1-2 in their last nine games.

Bryan Berard scored for the Islanders, who lost their sixth straight at home.

Rangers 4, Flyers 0

At Philadelphia, Steve Valiquette made 20 saves in his first career shutout for New York's first road win in more than a month.

In Thursday's other games it was:

* Lightning 4, Canucks 3

* Predators 4, Blue Jackets 2
This story has been viewed 2550 times.