NHL roundup: Captain Ovechkin scores twice to lead Capitals

WASHINGTON — Nicklas Backstrom scored twice in the third period, and Alex Ovechkin added his first goal since becoming Capitals captain as Washington beat the Ottawa Senators 5-2 on Thursday.

Ovechkin nearly made it three games in a row without a goal, which would have matched his longest drought of the season, but the Capitals are 2-0 with the "C" on the jersey of the two-time NHL MVP.

Ovechkin also assisted on both of Backstrom's goals.

Boyd Gordon and Mike Knuble had goals for the Capitals in the first period. Chris Phillips scored for the Senators in the second, and Jonathan Cheechoo added one late in the third for Ottawa.

Jose Theodore made 26 saves to get his first win since Dec. 15.FLYERS 7, PENGUINS 4: At Pittsburgh, James van Riemsdyk and Jeff Carter scored two goals each, Matt Carle had a goal and two assists, and Philadelphia beat Pittsburgh for the first time in four games this season.

Chris Pronger added a goal and an assist as the Flyers t ook leads of 2-0 and 5-2 in winning for the second night in a row and the sixth time in eight games. The seven goals were a Flyers' season high and gave them 13 in two nights, as they beat Toronto 6-2 on Wednesday.BLACKHAWKS 5, BRUINS 2: At Boston, Duncan Keith scored two goals and assisted on another to help Chicago rally from a two-goal deficit and beat Boston.

THRASHERS 2, RANGERS 1 (SO): At Atlanta, Bryan Little scored in the fifth round of a shootout to spoil New York goalie Chad Johnson's first NHL start and help the Thrashers snap a nine-game losing streak. The Thrashers avoided their first 10-game skid since their inaugural season 10 years ago.

Johan Hedberg had 29 saves and gave up only Marian Gaborik's goal in the extended shootout. Hedberg turned aside Eric Christensen, Ryan Callahan and Ales Kotalik before rookie defenseman Michael Del Zotto shot wide to end the shootout.

Johnson, subbing for workhorse starter Henrik Lundqvist, stopped 31 shots. He allowed Jim Slater's third-period goal that forced overtime. He also gave up a goal to Slava Kozlov in the shootout.

Enver Lisin had given the Rangers a 1-0 lead in the second.PREDATORS 4, HURRICANES 2: At Nashville, Tenn., Patric Hornqvist scored two goals and had an assist as Nashville beat Carolina.

Steve Sullivan had a goal and an assist, and J.P. Dumont scored a short-handed goal as the Predators won for the fourth time in five games. Nashville has won three straight in this series.