WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin scored twice to reach 600 goals and Evgeny Kuznetsov had the overtime winner as the Washington Capitals returned to first place by beating the Winnipeg Jets 3-2 on Monday.
Ovechkin scored in each of the first two periods to get to 42 this season. The Russian winger became the 20th player and fourth-fastest in NHL history to 600 goals and is on pace to lead the league in goals for the seventh time.
Kuznetsov made it a night of celebration for Washington by scoring on a breakaway 4:11 into overtime.
Ovechkin’s historic performance was crucial on a night when Jets winger Patrik Laine scored his 16th in the past 12 games to get to 41 this season. Nikolaj Ehlers also scored for Winnipeg, which got 40 saves from Connor Hellebuyck.
Capitals goaltender Philipp Grubauer stopped 26 shots in his third consecutive start.
The anticipated showdown between the NHL’s top goal scorers lived up to its billing from the drop of the puck. “Excited to play hockey” against the team he grew up rooting for, Laine skated with the confidence he has exhibited throughout his recent run.
GOLDEN KNIGHTS 3, FLYERS 2: Marc-Andre Fleury made 38 saves to become the 13th goalie in NHL history with 400 career wins, and Ryan Carpenter scored the winning goal with 2:40 left to lead Vegas to a win in Philadelphia.
Erik Haula and William Karlsson also scored for the Pacific Division leaders, who won their third straight and completed a 4-1 trip.
Fleury, who earned his first NHL win on Oct. 18, 2003, became the third active goalie to reach the milestone, joining Roberto Luongo and Henrik Lundqvist.
RANGERS 6, HURRICANES 3: Jimmy Vesey scored three times, Mats Zuccarello had two goals and New York won at home. Vladislav Namestnikov also scored for the Rangers, who ended a three-game losing streak and earned their first home win since Feb. 9. Pavel Buchnevich and Mika Zibanejad each had three assists.
BLUE JACKETS 5, CANADIENS 2: Seth Jones scored two first-period power-play goals, and Columbus won its fifth straight, beating Montreal in Columbus, Ohio.
NOTES
COYOTES: Arizona granted Coach Rick Tocchet a leave of absence while he deals with a family illness. Coyotes General Manager John Chayka said assistant coach John MacLean will assume head coaching responsibilities until Tocchet returns.
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