Backstrom, Ovechkin power Capitals past Blues, 4-3 in OT
WASHINGTON (AP) - Nicklas Backstrom scored at 4:17 of overtime and Alex Ovechkin had a power-play goal and an assist to help the Washington Capitals beat the St. Louis Blues 4-3 on Sunday.
Recognizing a change of possession in Washington's end late in overtime, Backstrom headed down ice, received a long pass from T.J. Oshie and beat goalie Carter Hutton for his ninth goal of the season.
Ovechkin tied it at 2 on the power play 8 eight minutes into the third with his 27th goal, and Lars Eller gave the Capitals the lead with 9:11 left. The lead did not last long, with Carl Gunnarson credited with a goal after his shot into pack of players evaded goaltender Braden Holtby with 4:09 remaining.
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), from Russia, right wing Brett Connolly (10), center Nicklas Backstrom (19), from Sweden, and right wing T.J. Oshie (77) celebrate Backstrom's game-winning goal in the overtime portion of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018, in Washington. The Capitals won 4-3 in overtime. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Holtby made 30 saves for the Capitals. They have won four in a row overall and nine consecutive home games.
Vladimir Tarasenko had a goal and an assist for the Blues. They have lost two in a row and six of their last seven road games.
Alexander Steen snapped a lengthy power-play drought and put St. Louis up 2-1 5:02 into the second period. St. Louis had failed to score on 21 consecutive power plays dating to its Dec. 20 loss at Calgary.
St. Louis dominated the second with had two goals on 12 shots before Washington recorded its first shot on goal in the period.
The Blues tied it at 1 1:18 into the second period on Tarasenko's 18th goal.
NOTES: St. Louis lost 6-3 in Philadelphia on Saturday, while Washington played for first time since Tuesday's 5-4 overtime victory at Carolina. ... Capitals forward Andre Burakovsky was in the lineup after missing the previous two games as a healthy scratch. Defenseman Matt Niskanen returned after sitting out Tuesday with an undisclosed upper-body injury. The Capitals are 17-2-2 when scoring first.
UP NEXT
Blues: Host Florida on Tuesday night.
Capitals: Hosts Vancouver on Tuesday night.
Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19), from Sweden, scores the winning goal past St. Louis Blues goaltender Carter Hutton (40) in the overtime portion of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Washington Capitals left wing Jakub Vrana (13), from the Czech Republic, loses the puck as St. Louis Blues left wing Alexander Steen (20) defends in the second period of an NHL hockey game, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
