first period

Alex Ovechkin's record-setting goal in the first period wasn't enough to calm the nerves of the Washington Capitals, whose march toward the playoffs was being threatened by a nothing-to-play-for last place team.

His third-period blast that gave the Capitals the lead? Now, that did the trick. Serenaded again with chants of "M-V-P!" from the red-clad sellout crowd, Ovechkin scored his 64th and 65th...

Alexander Ovechkin scored three goals in the first period against the Boston Bruins on Monday night and netted a fourth in the third, giving him 53 for the season.

The Capitals star scored on a breakaway 6:18 into the game to become the first player in the NHL to reach 50 goals this season.

Fifty seconds later, he scored his 51st goal.

New York Islanders coach Ted Nolan missed the first period of Monday's game against the San Jose Sharks because of what the team called a "personal matter." No other details were immediately available, but Nolan came out of the tunnel with his team for the start of the second period.

He patted players on the back after taking his usual position behind New York's bench.