NHL star Alex Ovechkin appears in campaign ad for pro-Putin United Russia party

NHL star Alex Ovechkin appears in campaign ad for pro-Putin United Russia party

Alex Ovechkin has never hidden his support of Vladimir Putin. Photograph: Adam Hunger/AP

Robert Mackey and Tom Lutz

Ovechkin's sons introduce him before Washington's home opener, and the Capitals top Pittsburgh 5-3

WASHINGTON (AP) — A lot has changed for Alex Ovechkin in 22 seasons.

Capitals top Penguins in Alex Ovechkin's final home opener in Washington

WASHINGTON (AP) — Tom Wilson had a goal and two assists, and the Washington Capitals held on for a win in Alex Ovechkin’s final home opener, 5-3 over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night.

Capitals top Penguins 5-3 in Alex Ovechkin's final home opener in Washington

WASHINGTON (AP) — Tom Wilson had a goal and two assists, and the Washington Capitals held on for a win in Alex Ovechkin's final home opener, 5-3 over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night.

'Pretty surreal': Stamkos still filling the net and climbing NHL's all-time goal list

Steven Stamkos remembers being a rookie without a point through his first seven NHL games.

Rangers visit the Capitals after Lafreniere's hat trick

New York Rangers (4-1, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Washington Capitals (2-1, in the Metropolitan Division)

Yakemchuk breaks late tie in the Senators' 2-1 victory over the Flyers

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Carter Yakemchuk broke a tie on a power play with 6:59 left and the Ottawa Senators held on to beat the winless Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 on Thursday night.

Yakemchuk's winner lifts Senators to 2-1 victory over Flyers

OTTAWA — Carter Yakemchuk isn’t known for showing a lot of emotion but the Ottawa Senators defenceman had plenty to celebrate on Thursday night.

Dylan Larkin plays and scores in his first game for the Red Wings since asking for a trade

DETROIT (AP) — Dylan Larkin played for the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night for the first time since asking for a trade, scored 13 minutes in, had an assist and was named the first star of the game for his role in beating Ottawa.

Carlson scores twice to help the Lightning beat the Wild 3-2

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Defenseman John Carlson scored twice for his 11th career multi-goal game, Nikita Kucherov had two assists and Dennis Hildeby made 34 saves in the Tampa Bay Lightning's 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night.

Evan Bouchard continues historic start, Oilers pummel Ducks in 2nd period in 5-2 win

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Evan Bouchard had two goals and an assist to become the second defenseman in NHL history with at least six goals through the first four games of a season, and the Edmonton Oilers used a five-goal second period to beat the Anaheim Ducks 5-2 on Wednesday night.

Logan Stankoven scores 3 as Hurricanes beat Canucks 7-2 for their first home win

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Logan Stankoven had a natural hat trick for his first career three-goal game, and the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes won at home in their third try this season, 7-2 over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night.

Yakemchuk's power-play winner lifts Senators over Flyers 2-1

OTTAWA — Carter Yakemchuk’s first goal of the season was the game-winner in the Ottawa Senators' 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night.

Senators forward Eklund out for 'extended' period with ankle injury

OTTAWA — Ottawa Senators forward William Eklund will be out for an "extended" period of time with an ankle injury, head coach Travis Green said Friday.

Ryan O'Reilly scores go-ahead goal as Predators rally for 5-2 win over Canadiens

MONTREAL (AP) — Ryan O’Reilly scored the go-ahead goal with 3:16 remaining, and the Nashville Predators rallied from a 2-0 deficit to beat the Montreal Canadiens 5-2 on Thursday night.

Logan Stankoven's first career hat trick helps Hurricanes beat Canucks 7-2

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Logan Stankoven had a natural hat trick for his first career three-goal game, and the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes won at home in their third try this season, 7-2 over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night.

Pastrnak scores 2 goals, adds 2 assists in the Bruins' 6-1 rout of the Mammoth

BOSTON (AP) — David Pastrnak scored his first two goals of the season and added two assists as the Boston Bruins routed the Utah Mammoth 6-1 in Thursday night.

Nurse out, Aubin in at Canadian women's hockey team selection camp

QUÉBEC — Veteran forward Sarah Nurse has been removed from the Canadian women's hockey team selection camp roster for the upcoming world championship and replaced by college forward Alexia Aubin.

Makar has 2 goals and an assist in the Avs' 7-3 victory over the winless Flames

CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Cale Makar had two goals and an assist, Devon Toews and Jaden Schwartz also each scored twice and the Colorado Avalanche beat the winless Calgary Flames 7-3 on Thursday night.

Barkov eager for return, while Marchand could be back for Panthers within weeks, AP source says

BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) — Aleksander Barkov could resume playing for Florida by the end of November. And Brad Marchand might be back in the Panthers' lineup by then as well.

Shorter NHL training camps don't change much about early-season hockey, it's still sloppy

The first three days of the earliest leaguewide start in NHL history delivered scores straight out of the 1980s.