WASHINGTON (AP) Alex Ovechkin scored twice during a four-goal rally in the third period and the Washington Capitals beat the Buffalo Sabres 5-2 on Wednesday to extend its winning streak to nine games and overtake the Dallas Stars for the NHL points lead.
Marcus Johansson put Washington ahead 8:32 into the final period, and Andre Burakovsky scored 1:24 later. Evgeny Kuznetsov had two assists during the third period. Justin Williams had the Capitals’ other goal, in the second.
The Capitals moved ahead of Dallas with 58 points.
Kuznetsov set up Ovechkin’s tying goal 1:24 into the third with a perfect pass, then set up Johansson for a re-direct during a power play.
Ovechkin’s last goal was an empty-netter.
Brian Gionta’s first-period goal gave the Sabres an early lead, and goalie Chad Johnson helped Buffalo hold it until late in the second period despite heavy pressure from the Capitals.
Williams finally broke through with 5:52 left in the second. Johnson went behind his net to collect a loose puck and quickly tried to flip it away along the boards to teammate Zach Bogosian. Williams jumped in front, though, and picked it off. He quickly shot into the empty net to tie it.
The Sabres answered when Zemgus Girgensons knocked in a loose puck from in front with 1:07 left in the period.
Braden Holtby finished with 25 saves for the Capitals.
Dominic Moore put New York ahead early in the third, Dan Boyle had a goal and an assist and the Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2 to end an eight-game road losing streak.
Henrik Lundqvist made 20 saves and moved past Rogie Vachon for 17th place on the NHL’s career wins list with 356.
Mats Zuccarello scored in the second period and Viktor Stalberg and Rick Nash added empty-netters.
Jonathan Marchessault and Anton Stralman scored for the Lightning.
Moore gave the Rangers a 3-2 lead on a backhander 3:16 into the third after a defensive zone turnover by Tampa Bay.
P.A. Parenteau and Peter Holland scored in the shootout to help the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2.
Parenteau won it by beating Matt Murray to the glove side with a wrist shot after Maple Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier stopped Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang. Bernier finished with 39 saves.
Dion Phaneuf and Jake Gardiner both scored for the Maple Leafs in regulation.
Crosby scored his eighth and Chris Kunitz his fifth, and Murray made 34 saves for Pittsburgh.
Also Wednesday, Mike Cammalleri scored twice, Cory Schneider made 36 saves and the New Jersey Devils beat the Ottawa Senators 3-0 and Joe Pavelski scored twice in the third period to help the San Jose Sharks down the Philadelphia Flyers 4-2.
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