NHL roundup: Semin leads Capitals to win over Islanders

UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Alex Ovechkin was held in check, but Alexander Semin scored twice for the Washington Capitals, who netted four goals in the first period and surged to their seventh straight win, 7-2 over the New York Islanders on Tuesday night.

Semin had two unassisted goals, and Brendan Morrison and Mike Knuble also scored against Dwayne Roloson in the first period for the NHL's most potent offense. Washington recorded only 12 shots in the frame but carried a 4-1 lead into the second.

Knuble's goal, scored during a power play just moments after Ovechkin struck Islanders defenseman Jack Hillen in the face with a shot, made it 3-1 with 1:47 left in the first. Semin pushed the advantage to three goals when he scored with 5.2 seconds left.

Roloson stopped eight of 12 shots before being replaced by Rick DiPietro to start the second. DiPietro allowed goals to defenseman John Erskine and Jason Chimera in the middle frame, and to Brooks Laich in the third.

Washington has scored at least four times in 10 of the past 11 contests (10-1). The Eastern Conference-leading Capitals (34-12-6) own the league's longest current winning streak.

BLACKHAWKS 4, OILERS 2: At Edmonton, Jonathan Toews, Troy Brouwer, Dustin Byfuglien and Marian Hossa scored and Chicago extended Edmonton's losing streak to 11 games.

The Blackhawks are 4-2 through six games of a season-high eight-game road trip. Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith added two assists apiece for Chicago.

Fernando Pisani and Ryan Potulny scored for the Oilers, who are in the midst of their worst losing streak since a 12-game skid three years ago. The franchise record for consecutive losses is 14, set in 1993. The Oilers have won once in their last 19 and just one of their last 15 at home.

SENATORS 3, DEVILS 0: At Ottowa, Brian Elliott earned his third shutout, Alex Kovalev, Milan Michalek and Jason Spezza scored, and Ottawa extended its winning streak to seven games.

Elliott made 24 saves to win his fifth straight start. It was his fourth career shutout.

Kovalev and Michalek scored in the first to stake Ottawa to a 2-0 lead. Spezza scored the Senators' third goal 15:47 into the second. Filip Kuba had two assists.

New Jersey has been held to 11 goals while losing five of seven overall. The Devils had won nine straight against Ottawa.

Martin Brodeur stopped nine of 12 shots in two periods.