Backstrom’s five points lead Washington rout
Capitals defenseman Dmitry Orlov celebrates his goal during the second period as Penguins defenseman Kris Letang skates by Wednesday in Washington.
Penguins goalie Matt Murray lies on the ice after he was injured during the first period.
WASHINGTON – Nicklas Backstrom had two goals and three assists and T.J. Oshie enjoyed a four-point game as the Washington Capitals broke out of a recent funk to rout the rival Pittsburgh Penguins, 7-1, Wednesday night.
Oshie had two goals and two assists, and Alex Ovechkin, Dmitry Orlov and Justin Williams also scored for the Capitals, who had lost three of four. Braden Holtby stopped 25 of the 26 shots he faced, allowing only a late goal to Phil Kessel.
Ovechkin left the ice briefly in the second period holding his right wrist but returned a few minutes later and registered his first point in five games. Murray leaves game vs. Capitals after hit to head
Stanley Cup-winning goaltender Matt Murray left the game after taking an accidental hit to the head from teammate Evgeni Malkin.
Late in the first period, Malkin went to shove Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner and hit Murray, whose mask came off. Murray went down to the ice in pain, talked to an athletic trainer and skated off.
Marc-Andre Fleury came in cold to replace Murray with 23.7 seconds left in the first. Malkin was given a double-minor for roughing, and T.J. Oshie scored a power-play goal with 7.9 seconds remaining to give Washington a 3-0 lead.
Murray allowed two goals on 14 shots in 19:36 of action. He missed the start of the season after breaking his hand at the World Cup of Hockey.
Fleury led Pittsburgh out to start the second period as Murray sat at the end of the visitors’ bench wearing a baseball cap. The team did not immediately give an official update on Murray’s status.
Murray entered the game 4-0-0 with a 1.25 goals-against average and .961 save percentage this season.