Ovechkin sparks Capitals

Eric Fehr and Mike Knuble also scored for the Capitals as Washington came back from deficits of 1-0 and 3-2 despite Sidney Crosby’s goal, a revived Evgeni Malkin’s three assists, and rookie Nick Johnson’s goal in his first NHL game.

Kings 4, Sabres 3 - Ryan Smyth scored the tying goal midway through the third and Dustin Brown had the deciding goal in a shootout to lead host Los Angeles.

The Kings have won their last six games that have been decided in a shootout - all of them at Staples Center.

Senators 3, Blues 2 - Peter Regin got his third power-play point of the game with an assist on Chris Phillips’s goal and host Ottawa extended its winning streak to five.

Regin, who opened the scoring in the first, got his second assist as Phillips put a wrist shot past Chris Mason in the third for Ottawa’s third power-play goal.

Sharks 3, Ducks 1 - Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Rob Blake scored rare goals in the second period as host San Jose beat playoff nemesis Anaheim for the fifth straight time this season.

Patrick Marleau assisted on the first two goals and added an empty-netter for his NHL-leading 35th. The Sharks have won four straight and 15 of 18.

Hurricanes 5, Thrashers 2 - Eric Staal scored three goals in his first game since becoming Carolina’s captain as the Hurricanes took a rare road victory.

The Hurricanes were last in the NHL with 35 points and had lost three straight when Staal took over as captain Wednesday for Rod Brind’Amour.

Blackhawks 3, Flames 1 - Ben Eager scored the go-ahead goal at 5:52 of the third period, and Antti Niemi made 19 saves in Chicago’s victory over reeling host Calgary, which has lost six straight.

After failing on a penalty shot in the first period, Patrick Kane opened the scoring for Chicago on a power play at 9:14 of the second. Jamie Lundmark tied it for Calgary with a power-play goal with 1:29 left in the second.

Flyers 2, Rangers 0 - Ray Emery made 24 saves for his second shutout of the season, and James van Riemsdyk and Mike Richards scored for host Philadelphia.

Making his third straight start since returning from abdominal surgery, Emery cooled off a team that had scored 14 goals in consecutive wins.