SCOREBOARD
Friday, Feb. 1
Vancouver at Florida (7:30 p.m. EST). Goalie Roberto Luongo returns to Sunrise for the first time since the Panthers traded him to the Canucks prior to the 2006-07 season.
STARS
Thursday
-Alex Ovechkin, Capitals, scored four goals, including the winner 3:34 into overtime, to give Washington a 5-4 victory over Montreal.
-Steve Valiquette, Rangers, made 20 saves in his first career shutout to lead New York to a 4-0 victory over Philadelphia.
-Rod Brind’Amour, Hurricanes, scored with 1:40 left in overtime to give Carolina a 3-2 win over Toronto.
ALEX THE GREAT
Alex Ovechkin scored his fourth goal of the night with 1:26 left in overtime to give Washington a 5-4 win over Montreal on Thursday night. It was Ovechkin’s second career four-goal and five-point game. He did it on Dec. 29 at Ottawa. Ovechkin leads the NHL with 43 goals and took over the points lead with 70.
SNAPPED
The New York Rangers beat Philadelphia 4-0 on Thursday night for their first road win in more than a month. The Rangers snapped a winless road skid that stretched back to a 6-1 win at Toronto on Dec. 29 – Valiquettte’s last victory. They were 0-4-2 on the road since the win over the Maple Leafs and only 1-6-4 since the start of December.
STREAKING
J.P. Dumont extended the longest current points streak in the NHL to 16 games with two assists and the Nashville Predators beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-2 on Thursday night.
ALL IN THE FAMILY
The Kostitsyn brothers both scored in the Canadiens 5-4 overtime loss to Washington on Thursday night, becoming the first siblings to score a goal in the same game for Montreal since Frank and Pete Mahovolich did it on April 14, 1974 against the New York Rangers in the playoffs.
SPEAKING
“Today was a special day. I broke my nose, have stitches (and) score four goals. Everything (went) to my face.” – Alex Ovechkin after leading the Capitals to a 5-4 overtime win against Montreal on Thursday night. Ovechkin tied career highs with four goals and five points.