SAN JOSE, Calif. – Alex Ovechkin had two goals and an assist, and Dylan Strome had a goal and two assists for the Washington Capitals in an 8-3 win against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on Saturday.
Craig Smith scored twice, Rasmus Sandin had three assists in his team debut, and Darcy Kuemper made 38 saves for the Capitals (31-27-6), who have won three of four.
Sharks defenseman Mario Ferrero (38) tries to tie up Tom Wilson (43) – Photo by Jack Lima
Sandin was traded to Washington by the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday for defenseman Erik Gustafsson and a first-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.
Alexander Barabanov and Tomas Hertl scored, Erik Karlsson had two assists, and William Eklund had an assist in his season debut for the Sharks (18-33-12), lost their fifth straight. who gave up for four second-period goals for the second consecutive game. Kaapo Kahkonen made 22 saves.
Sharks defenseman Jacob MacDonald (9) checks Sonny Milano (15) – Photo by Jack Lima
Hertl put San Jose ahead 1-0 at 12:03 of the first period when he beat T.J. Oshie in a foot race and then scored on his own rebound attempt.
Barabanov made it 2-0 at 15:30 when Logan Couture set him up from behind Washington’s net.
The Capitals then scored four straight goals in the second period.
Smith cut it to 2-1 at 8:46, scoring from the right face-off circle before Nicolas Aube-Kubel tied it 2-2 at 11:30. It was Smith’s first goal since being traded from the Boston Bruins in exchange for Dmitry Orlov and Garnet Hathaway on Feb. 23.
Sharks goalie Kappo Kahkonen gloves a shot by Nicolas Aube-Kubel (96) – Photo by Jack Lima
Matt Irwin put Washington ahead 3-2 at 15:28 with his first goal of the season.
Smith extended it to 4-2 at 19:02 with his second goal. After initially being ruled no goal because of an apparent hand deflection into the net, it was determined through review that the puck deflected in off Smith’s stick and the call was overturned.
Oshie pushed the Capitals’ lead to 5-2 at 5:50 of the third period. Kahkonen was still recovering from stopping Ovechkin’s shot on the power play when Oshie scored on the rebound.
Nico Sturm made it 5-3 at 9:02 before Ovechkin scored an unassisted goal at 9:11 to make it 6-3.
Ovechkin scored on a one-timer to make it 7-3 at 16:05, and Strome scored at 17:30 for the 8-3 final.
Photos by Jack Lima
With his two goals today Alex Ovechkin increased his career total to 815 – Photo by Jack Lima
William Eklund looks to make a pass – Photo by Jack Lima
William Eklund controls the puck during second period action – Photo by Jack Lima
Sharks coach David Quinn argues a penalty call and earns a game misconduct – Photo by Jack Lima
Kevin Labanc chases a rebound in front of Capitals goalie Darcy Kuemper – Photo by Jack Lima
Erik Karlsson (Right) draws a high sticking penalty from Sonny Milano (15) – Photo by Jack Lima
Capitals defenseman Vincent Iorio (6) checks Oskar Lindblom (23) – Photo by Jack Lima
Alex Ovechkin takes a shot during a first period power play – Photo by Jack Lima
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