Backstrom, Beagle injured in Caps’ win over Sabres

Capitals 5, Sabres 2: Alex Ovechkin scored twice during a four-goal rally in the third period, and host Washington defeated Buffalo on Wednesday night to extend its winning streak to nine games and overtake Dallas for the National Hockey League points lead.

Beagle will undergo surgery for an upper-body injury and be out for an extended period of time.

The 26-year-old Tangradi has appeared in 24 games with Grand Rapids this season, ranking first on the team with 13 goals.

Despite being outshot 28-19 over two periods, the Sabres took a 2-1 lead late into the second intermission. While Trotz said Backstrom could return as early as Thursday, center Jay Beagle left the game as well.

NOTES: D John Carlson missed his second straight game due to a lower-body injury after playing in 412 in a row. Coach Barry Trotz said Carlson will sit against Carolina and that the team will “see after that”.

Nicklas Backstrom notched his 22nd assist on the goal, digging the puck out of the corner and flipping a backhand between two Sabres defenders to a wide-open Ovechkin in front of the net. Chad Johnson played a great game through the first 30 minutes, stopping a few glorious Caps chances and keeping the Sabres in the game.

Williams finally broke through with 5:52 left in the second. Tampa Bay is 2-2-1 during a six-game homestand. Williams jumped in front, though, and picked it off. He quickly shot into the empty net to tie it.

Things started well for the Sabres, mostly thanks to the line of Eichel, Gionta, and Girgensons, who were the only line all night to make noise against the Capitals.

Two first-period goals from Mike Cammalleri helped the New Jersey Devils to a 3-0 win over the Ottawa Senators, while the Toronto Maple Leafs required a shoot-out to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2.

Henrik Lundqvist made 20 saves for the Rangers and moved past Rogie Vachon for 17th place on the NHL’s career wins list with 356.

Parenteau won it by beating Matt Murray to the glove side with a wrist shot after Maple Leafs goalie Jonathan Bernier stopped Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang.

Chad Johnson finished the game with 38 saves. Dan Boyle scored in the first period and Mats Zuccarello in the second.

Andrew Hammond made 18 saves. Washington C Michael Latta, who injured an arm during a fight with Buffalo LW Nicolas Deslauriers on Monday, was out of the lineup.