Nicklas Backstrom has 2 goals and an assist to lead Capitals to 3-2 win over Hurricanes

Backstrom leads Capitals over Hurricanes 3-2

RALEIGH, N.C. — Not even an apparent first-period injury to leading scorer Alex Ovechkin could slow down the Washington Capitals.

Nicklas Backstrom had two goals and an assist while Eric Fehr added a goal and an assist Monday night, leading Washington to a 3-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.

It was the first meeting between the Southeast Division rivals this season. Washington is on a three-game winning streak and sits atop the Eastern Conference standings, while Carolina has lost five straight and has the worst record in the league.

Washington played the last 2½ periods without Ovechkin, who was helped off the ice at 7:55 of the first period after initiating a knee-to-knee collision with defenseman Tim Gleason.

Ovechkin, who hit Gleason with his right knee as the defenseman was attempting to take the puck out of his own zone, received both a five-minute major and a game misconduct, his second in his last three games. Both he and Gleason were helped off the ice, but Gleason returned during the power play.

Ovechkin is leading the Capitals with 18 goals and 30 points, and is also leading the team in penalty minutes with 44.

Carolina defenseman Joe Corvo was also injured in the first period after scoring the Hurricanes’ only goal. Corvo scored at 4:35 of the first, but was cut on the leg in a collision with the Capitals’ Karl Alzner less than a minute later and taken to the hospital for assessment.

Jose Theodore had 35 saves for the Capitals, while Michael Leighton stopped 30 shots for the Hurricanes.

Carolina took the early lead on Corvo’s goal, when he took Tuomo Ruutu’s pass on the right doorstep and used his backhand to fake the puck past Theodore. Eric Staal also assisted on the goal.

Washington took little time to even the score, with Backstrom receiving Ovechkin’s pass into the low slot and poking it past Michael Leighton at 6:11.

The Capitals went up 2-1 at even strength with 2:40 left in the first as Fehr scored from the left circle with Backstrom assisting.

Washington stretched its lead to 3-1 with about 5 minutes left in the second, when Backstrom scored from Fehr as Leighton had left the crease.

Matt Cullen scored for the Hurricanes with a Carolina empty net with 15 seconds left.

NOTES: Gleason received a 10-minute misconduct penalty late in the third period. … Washington was without Alexander Semin (wrist) Boyd Gordon (back), Shaone Morrisonn (upper body) and Tom Poti (upper body). … Carolina’s Scott Walker (upper body) missed his eighth straight game while Chad LaRose (lower body) missed his second straight.