NHL: Washington 7, Ottawa 4

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Alexander Ovechkin's hat trick Sunday keyed the Washington Capitals' 7-4 victory against Ottawa.

His second three-goal performance this season, and the seventh in his career, gave him an NHL-high 36 to date.

Ovechkin scored once (power play) in the first period, and twice in a four-goal second period.

With his second straight multi-goal game, Ovechkin made a strong case to become a two-time winner of the Rocket Richard trophy as the league's MVP.

Mike Green (power play), Eric Fehr, Alexander Semin, and Nicklas Backstrom (empty net) all scored once.

Green had three assists, while netminder Brent Johnson recorded 34 saves on 38 shots for the Capitals, who completed a weekend home-ice sweep.

Saturday, they beat Detroit, 4-2.

Ottawa got two goals from Daniel Alfredsson, and one each from Dany Heatly and Antoine Vermette.

Heatly also had one assist, while goalies Brian Elliott and Alex Auld combined to allow six goals on 30 shots for the Senators, who have lost three of four.