Ovechkin Hat Trick Powers Capitals' 8-4 Win Over Canadiens

MONTREAL — Alex Ovechkin scored three goals and added an assist to propel the Washington Capitals to an 8-4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday night at the Bell Centre, marking the first matchup between the teams since Washington's playoff elimination of Montreal last season.

The 40-year-old Ovechkin etched further into NHL history with his 33rd career hat trick, tying Brett Hull for fourth all-time. His performance pushed his career goal total to 907, the league record, and elevated him to 10th on the all-time points list with 1,643, surpassing Joe Sakic. Ovechkin has scored in four consecutive games, including seven goals over his last six.

Ovechkin opened the scoring just one minute into the first period on a power-play wrist shot, capitalizing on a faceoff win to beat Canadiens goaltender Sam Montembeault. After Montreal tied the game on Brendan Gallagher's first goal of the season at 15:47, the Capitals surged ahead in the second period with a six-goal outburst. Ethen Frank netted two goals in a 1:38 span early in the frame, the first assisted by Ovechkin, to give Washington a 3-1 lead. Jakob Chychrun extended the advantage to 4-2 at 14:26 with a slap shot...