NHL NEWS NOV 24 – OVECHKIN HAT TRICK POWERS CAPITALS WIN

The Capitals owned a 4-1 lead in the third period backed by a hat trick from Alex Ovechkin (3-0—3) before holding off a late Blues rally – including two goals in the final 1:15 of play – to improve to 7-3-0 at home this season and halt St. Louis’ win streak at four games.

Ovechkin’s hat trick marked the 16th time in his NHL career he has registered three or more goals in a game. Ovechkin recorded his fourth game-winning goal of the season and the 92nd of his career, tied with Mike Modano, Mark Messier and Jeremy Roenick for 16th all-time.

NHL NEWS AND MUSINGS

• The Lightning improved to 5-1-0 in their last six contests
• Flames goaltender Chad Johnson (34 SV) recorded his second shutout of the season
• Devils forward Michael Cammalleri (1-3—4) registered his first four-point game since Feb. 13, 2013 vs. DAL (3-1—4 w/ CGY)
• Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov scored his first career NHL goal (21 GP)
• Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (2-1—3) snapped a 13-game goalless drought
• Oilers forward Milan Lucic (1-3—4) registered four points to equal his career high from Oct. 25, 2008 vs. ATL (3-1—4 w/ BOS) and forward Leon Draisaitl (1-1—2) extended his point streak to five games (4-4—8)
• Canucks forward Sven Baertschi (1-2—3) registered a career-high three points while teammate Bo Horvat (1-2—3) matched his career high for points in a game from Nov. 23, 2014 vs. CHI (0-3—3).

WEDNESDAY’S NHL RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
MINNESOTA 3, Winnipeg 1
Detroit 2, BUFFALO 1 (SO)
NEW JERSEY 5, Toronto 4 (SO)
Pittsburgh 6, NY RANGERS 1
WASHINGTON 4, St. Louis 3
Calgary 2, COLUMBUS 0
TAMPA BAY 4, Philadelphia 2
NASHVILLE 5, Dallas 2
SAN JOSE 2, Chicago 1
Edmonton 6, COLORADO 3
Vancouver 4, ARIZONA 1
LOS ANGELES 4, NY Islanders 2

THURSDAY’S NHL ACTION
All Times Eastern
Carolina @ Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Boston @ Ottawa, 7:30 p.m.