Alex Ovechkin helps the Washington Capitals beat Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3

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PITTSBURGH (AP) — Alex Ovechkin scored a power-play goal during Washington’s fast start, and the Capitals beat Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 on Tuesday night.

Ovechkin and Crosby faced off for the 67th time in the regular season. Crosby finished with a goal and an assist, but Washington held on after racing out to a 4-0 lead.

It was the 10th time that Ovechkin and Crosby scored in the same game, and first since a Capitals win on Nov. 7, 2018.

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates his goal with Rasmus Sandin during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates his goal with Rasmus Sandin during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Martin Fehervary, Tom Wilson and Beck Malenstyn also scored for Washington, which had dropped four in a row. Darcy Kuemper made 33 saves.

Crosby scored his 21st of the season, a power-play goal in the second period. He has 1,540 points, passing Joe Thornton for 12th on the NHL’s career points list.

Jake Guentzel scored his 17th goal for Pittsburgh, and Rickard Rakell picked up his third. The Penguins had won three in a row.

HURRICANES 6, RANGERS 1

NEW YORK (AP) — Andrei Svechnikov scored twice, Pyotr Kochetkov made 28 saves and Carolina earned its fourth straight win.

Brady Skjei had three assists for the surging Hurricanes, who improved to 7-1-3 in their last 11 games. Jack Drury, Jordan Martinook, Jalen Chatfield and Michael Bunting also scored.

Svechnikov has six goals and five assists in his last five games.

Chris Kreider scored for the Rangers. Igor Shesterkin finished with 21 stops.

BRUINS 4, BLUE JACKETS 1

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — James van Riemsdyk scored on a power play and added two assists, helping Boston to its fourth consecutive victory.

Kevin Shattenkirk, Danton Heinen and Trent Frederic also scored for Boston. Linus Ullmark stopped 26 shots.

Kent Johnson scored for Columbus, which has lost two in a row and five of six overall. Spencer Martin made 23 saves.

After a scoreless first period in which Boston was outshot 12-5, the Bruins grabbed control with two goals in the second and two more in the third.

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