Washington: Alex Ovechkin scored his first hat-trick this season and the 16th of his 10-year NHL career to lead the Washington Capitals over the St. Louis Blues 4-3 on Wednesday night.
Ovechkin had a goal in each period to move one hat-trick ahead of Florida’s Jaromir Jagr for the most among active players. The three-time MVP, who has 12 goals this season, led the Capitals to their third win through four games of a five-game homestand.
Evgeny Kuznetsov had a goal and an assist for Washington, who outshot St. Louis 25-21 and held a lead throughout the final two periods.
Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice and Alex Pietrangelo added a late goal for the Blues, who had won four straight. Carter Hutton made 21 saves as No. 1 goalie Jake Allen sat out the second of back-to-back games.
Sidney Crosby had two goals and an assist during a five-goal second period and Pittsburgh shut down division-leading New York 6-1 in a rout.
The Penguins held New York without a shot on goal over 23:59 spanning the second and third periods. Scott Wilson, Conor Sheary, Phil Kessel and Matt Cullen also scored for Pittsburgh, and Matt Murray had 16 saves.
The Penguins moved two points behind New York for first place in the Metropolitan Division.
The Rangers won at Pittsburgh 5-2 on Monday behind a breakout second period. The Penguins exacted revenge Wednesday in nearly the exact same fashion.
Pittsburgh trailed 1-0 after 20 minutes, but then the defending Stanley Cup champions took control, chasing Henrik Lundqvist after four goals on 17 shots.
