WASHINGTON — John Carlson, Lars Eller and Evgeny Kuznetsov scored as the Washington Capitals beat the Vancouver Canucks 3-1 on Tuesday night for their fifth consecutive victory and NHL-best 10th in a row at home.
Backup goaltender Philipp Grubauer stopped 37 of 38 shots to pick up his third win of the season. The Capitals haven’t lost at home since Nov. 30 and are 18-2-0 in their past 20 games in Washington.
Alex Ovechkin assisted on Carlson’s goal to get him to four away from 500 for his career. Carlson, who’s sixth among defensemen with 30 points, could join Ovechkin as an All-Star when the league announces rosters on Wednesday.
PREDATORS 2, OILERS 1: Viktor Arvidsson had a goal and an assist, helping Nashville win at home.
Craig Smith also scored and Pekka Rinne made 25 saves in Nashville’s 11th consecutive win against Edmonton.
The Oilers have lost 7 of 8.
LIGHTNING 5, HURRICANES 4: Tyler Johnson had three goals, Jake Dotchin scored a tie-breaking goal midway through the third period, and Tampa Bay won at home.
BLACKHAWKS 8, SENATORS 2: Nick Schmaltz and Jonathan Toews each scored a pair of goals and Patrick Kane had a goal and four assists for visiting Chicago.
PANTHERS 7, BLUES 4: Vincent Trocheck had two goals and an assist, leading Florida to a win at St. Louis.
JETS 7, SABRES 4: Kyle Connor had two goals and an assist, Nikolaj Ehlers also scored twice, and visiting Winnipeg won its third straight.
Buffalo has lost five in a row and twice in five days against the Jets.
FLAMES 3, WILD 2: Dougie Hamilton scored 2:39 into overtime as visiting Calgary won its fourth straight.
NOTES
RANGERS: Forward Chris Kreider underwent successful rib resection surgery on Sunday.
Kreider, who has been out with a blood clot in his right arm, will be re-evaluated in six weeks and remains out indefinitely.
PREDATORS: Nashville signed a trio of defensemen to contract extensions – Yannick Weber, Matt Irwin and Anthony Bitetto.
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