Winnik, Ovechkin supply firepower in Capitals' in 4-1 win
WASHINGTON -- Daniel Winnik scored twice, including the go-ahead goal with 4:39 left, Alex Ovechkin produced his 30th of the season and the Washington Capitals defeated the Arizona Coyotes 4-1 on Saturday night.
Winnik took a pass from Dmitry Orlov on a rush and beat goaltender Mike Smith from the right circle for his 10th goal of the season. Just 32 seconds later, Justin Williams netted his 21st goal to provide some insurance and Winnik later added an empty-netter.
Washington (49-17-8) has won four straight and leads Pittsburgh and Columbus by three points in the Metropolitan Division. The Capitals play six of their final eight games away from home and begin a five-game road trip Tuesday at Minnesota.
Ovechkin, who scored a power-play goal in the first period, joined Mike Gartner (15 seasons) and Wayne Gretzky (13) as the only players in NHL history to score at least 30 goals in each of their first 12 seasons.
Right after Washington failed to convert on a power play, Braden Holtby stopped Anthony Duclair on the rush, but Peter Holland tied it with 7:31 left in the third period.
Holtby stopped 28 shots and the Capitals set a franchise record for home wins as they improved to 31-6-2 at Verizon Center. Kevin Shattenkirk had two assists.
Smith made 29 saves for Arizona (27-39-9), which fell to 1-3 on its five-game road swing.
Ovechkin opened the scoring after he drew a hooking penalty on Alex Goligoski at 7:31 of the first period. One minute later, the Coyotes gave Ovechkin too much room. He received a cross-ice pass from Nicklas Backstrom near the left faceoff circle, took his time, then wristed a shot past Smith.
The Capitals dominated play for most of the second period but couldn't add to their lead despite have a 26-14 shot advantage after two periods.
With just under two minutes left in the second, Goligoski missed an open net. Then with Arizona on a power play, Washington's Jay Beagle broke in alone on Smith but fired high.
NOTES: Alex Ovechkin became the 28th player in NHL history with 400 power-play points. ... Braden Holtby is one victory from becoming the third goaltender in NHL history with three consecutive 40-win seasons. ... Coyotes F Shane Doan (lower-body injury) misses his fifth straight game. D Anthony DeAngelo was a scratch. ... Arizona concludes its five-game road trip Monday in St. Louis. ... The teams meet for the second and final time on March 31 at Arizona. ... Defenseman Nate Schmidt and Taylor Chorney and C Paul Carey didn't dress for Washington.