COLUMBUS, Ohio — Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin and Dennis Wideman scored in a 2:53 span of the third period, erasing a 2-0 deficit and leading the Washington Capitals to a 4-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Ovechkin also added an insurance goal — making it four in 4:34 — and Wideman added two assists for the Capitals, who have scored 12 third-period goals in their last six games. They have 46 in the final period this season — among the most in the NHL.
After a surprisingly slow start this year, Ovechkin appears to have found his range. He extended his points streak to six games, a span in which he has six goals and three assists.
John Moore and Samuel Pahlsson scored for Columbus.
It was another heartbreak for the Blue Jackets, who have been outscored 52-26 in the final period this year. Before hanging on to a lead for a 4-1 victory at Dallas on Thursday that ended a six-game losing skid, they had failed to win in regulation in eight straight games despite having the lead after two periods.
Make that nine of 10 now.
Down 2-0, Ovechkin got the Capitals on the board 4:23 into the third. He was denied on a nifty, blind, redirect attempt. But Wideman collected the rebound and passed to Ovechkin for a rocket of a one-timer.
At the 6:48 mark, Washington was cycling the puck when Wideman dropped a pass for Semin, who drilled a sharp shot through traffic to tie it, disappointing a crowd of 18,199 at Value City Arena.
Just 28 seconds later, Wideman came on a rush down the right wing and unleashed a shot. Columbus defenseman Aaron Johnson reached back with his stick, the puck ramping off the blade and rising past a surprised Steve Mason.
The win was Washington’s third in a row and gave it a 9-3-1-1 record all-time against the Blue Jackets.
Columbus had dominated for the first two periods.
Rich Nash stole the puck from former teammate Jason Chimera and raced along the right boards in the second period. He stopped quickly, pivoted to survey the ice and slid a pass to Moore who was trailing the play. His wrister from the high slot beat Tomas Vokoun on the stick side for just his second of the year.
Moore hadn’t had a goal in 24 games, but the prized rookie does have a goal and two assists in his last two games. His role is expected to be expanded with the Blue Jackets losing top defenseman James Wisniewski, who will be out six weeks after breaking his left ankle while blocking a shot in Dallas.
In the final minute of the period, Columbus upped the lead to 2-0. Marc Methot’s drive from near the Blue Jackets’ bench was redirected by R.J. Umberger in heavy traffic. The puck ricocheted to a hole in the Washington defense on the rim of the left circle, where Pahlsson’s shot beat Vokoun before he could slide to his right.
NOTES: The Blue Jackets called up rookie D David Savard from Springfield (AHL) to fill in for Wisniewski. … The Capitals recalled F Cody Eakin from Hershey of the AHL after their game on Friday night. To make room, D Mike Green (right groin) was played on injured reserve. … Nash has seven goals and five assists in nine games against Washington; Jeff Carter has 10 and 11 in 22.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.