OVECHKIN SCORES AGAIN AS CAPITALS HOLD OFF THIRD-PERIOD RANGERS RALLY
Alex Ovechkinscored his 18th goal of the season and T.J. Oshie (1-2—3) had a game-high three points as the MassMutual East Division-leading Capitals (23-7-4, 50 points) defeated the Rangers, who nearly rallied from a 4-0, third-period deficit.

* Ovechkin (18-12—30 in 30 GP), who has 10 goals in his last nine games dating to March 11 (10-2—12) after scoring just eight through his first 21 this season (8-10—18), is now tied for fifth place in the 2020-21 Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy race. Auston Matthews (22-17—39 in 31 GP) and Connor McDavid (21-41—62 in 35 GP), who are set to go head-to-head again tonight, rank first and second, respectively.



DID YOU KNOW?
The largest deficit in which Alex Ovechkin trailed the League leader in goals this season was 13 – entering play Feb. 21, Auston Matthews had 18 and Ovechkin had five.



DUCKS, PANTHERS RALLY FOR COME-FROM-BEHIND WINS
Anaheim and Florida both overcame deficits to earn a victory on Sunday:

* The Ducks fell behind 2-0 but responded with three unanswered goals – bookended by tallies from defensemen Cam Fowler and Josh Manson – to follow-up their 4-1 win over the Blues on Friday with a 3-2 overtime victory. Anaheim earned its third multi-goal comeback win of the season – only the Panthers (5), Jets (5) and Coyotes (4) have more.

* Jonathan Huberdeau (2-1—3) accounted for two of Florida’s four unanswered goals – which also included Anthony Duclairconverting on a penalty shot attempt at 6:26 of the first period – as the Panthers rallied from a deficit to defeat the Stars for the second time in as many days. Florida (22-9-4, 48 points) occupies third place in the Discover Central Division standings.



ROOKIE ROBERTSON RECORDS 15TH POINT SINCE MARCH 1; SMITH KEEPS PACE
Stars forward Jason Robertson scored a goal and Devils defenseman Ty Smith recorded an assist on Sunday. Robertson (6-15—21 in 27 GP) ranks second among all rookies with 21 points this season, while Smith (2-17—19 in 33 GP) paces rookie blueliners with 19.

* Robertson opened the scoring for Dallas and has recorded 15 points since March 1 (4-11—15 in 16 GP). He became the third Stars rookie with 15 or more points in a single month since the franchise began play in Texas, joining Jere Lehtinen in February 1996 (4-12—16 in 13 GP) and Jussi Jokinen in March 2006 (5-10—15 in 15 GP).

* Smith supplied the primary assist on the game-winning goal by Kyle Palmieri and Mackenzie Blackwood recorded the second 40-save shutout of his NHL career as New Jersey blanked Boston at TD Garden. Smith posted his 17th assist of the season to move ahead of Kirill Kaprizov (11-16—27 in 32 GP) for sole possession of the most among all rookies.



QUICK CLICKS

* NHL announces updates to 2020-21 regular-season schedule
* Brendan Lemieux traded to Kings by Rangers for fourth-round pick in 2021 Draft
* Eric Staal sees 'great opportunity' with Canadiens after trade by Sabres
* David Farrance signs two-year, entry-level contract with Predators
* Capitals AHL video coach Emily Engel-Natzke blazing trail

PREVIEW OF TODAY’S ACTION
Fourteen teams are in action tonight, with Sharks veteran Patrick Marleau set to continue climbing the NHL’s all-time games played list and Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury needing one win to move into a tie for the fourth most in League history. Sidney Crosby, who has been a teammate of both Marleau and Fleury, can extend his point streak as the Penguins look to conclude their five-game homestand without a regulation loss.



* Marleau is set to skate in the 1,757th regular-season game of his NHL career and move past Mark Messier (1,756 GP) for sole possession of second place on the League’s all-time list. Marleau would then need just 10 to tie Gordie Howe (1,767 GP) for the most in NHL history.

* Fleury owns 483 career regular-season wins, one back of Ed Belfour (484) who occupies fourth place on the League’s all-time list. Fleury has backstopped the Honda West Division-leading Golden Knights (23-8-1, 47 points) to 17 of their 23 wins this season, which includes a 3-2 overtime victory over the second-place Avalanche on Saturday.

* Crosby (3-7—10 in 5 GP) looks to extend his point streak as the Penguins conclude a five-game homestand in which they own a 3-0-1 record through the first four contests, including a 6-3 win over the Islanders in their last outing.