Backstrom, Washington bury upstart New Jersey

Ovechkin stays hotwithninth goal of season

NEWARK, N.J. — The Washington Capitals have been the Eastern Conference’s best regular-season team the past two years, and they showed the surprising New Jersey Devils why.

Nicklas Backstrom had a goal and three assists as the Capitals knocked the Devils from the unbeaten ranks with a 5-2 victory Friday.

“Everybody pitched in,” coach Barry Trotz said after the Capitals ended a 0-1-1 slide. “There were some great things that happened. We did a great job of managing their speed and limited them to not a lot of great chances. We had some good responses.”

The Capitals got big games from all their stars.

T.J. Oshie had two goals and an assist, and Alex Ovechkin scored his ninth of the season and set up Backstrom’s power-play tally to help Washington hand New Jersey its first loss in four games.

Jacub Vrana also scored for the Capitals, and Braden Holtby had 21 saves. Washington is 8-0-1 in its past nine games against New Jersey.

“The whole team played good tonight,” said Backstrom, who has eight assists in his past four games. “We had better structure, and we kept it together and played better defensively. When we play quick, it’s hard for other teams to create chances.”

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At Calgary, Alberta, Cody Ceci, Mark Stone and Derrick Brassard each had a goal and an assist to back Craig Anderson, who had 25 saves in his first shutout of the season and 39th of his career.

Kyle Turris had three assists for Ottawa, which pelted Mike Smith with five goals on 22 shots before he was relieved by Eddie Lack.

The Flames had won three straight after being blanked by Edmonton in their opener.

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At Denver, Tyson Barrie

Senators 6, Flames 0 — Avalanche 3, Ducks 1 —

scored the go-ahead goal with 5:39 left to back Jonathan Bernier, who had 17 saves against his former team, as Colorado (4-1) continued its best start in four years.

Mikko Rantanen and Sven Andrighetto had two assists apiece for the Avalanche, who lost Nathan Mackinnon to a right eye injury in the first period.

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At Columbus, Ohio, Artemi Panarin scored his first goal since Columbus acquired him from Chicago in the offseason, giving the Blue Jackets their first lead 7:25 into the third period, and Zach Werenski had two assists.

Sergei Bobrovsky had 37 saves for Columbus, and Henrik Lundqvist stopped 40 shots for New York.

Blue Jackets 3, Rangers 1 —

Julio Cortez The Associated Press Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom watches his shot get past Devils goalie Cory Schneider for a third-period goal Friday in Washington’s 5-2 win at Prudential Center.