WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Sergei Gonchar registered his fourth two-goal game of the season Wednesday night, helping the Washington Capitals end a three-game losing streak with a 6-3 triumph over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The 27-year-old Russian scored 3:19 into the second period to snap a 1-1 tie, then got the eventual game-winner just under six minutes into the third.
During Washington's three-game skid, the NHL's top scoring defenseman had a minus-5 rating as the Capitals were outscored, 13-6.
Rookie Stephen Peat, Adam Oates, Jaromir Jagr and newcomer Colin Forbes also scored for Washington, which tied a season high for goals and earned its first win in two meetings with Columbus.
Olaf Kolzig made 19 saves and improved to 2-2-1 in his last five starts.
David Vyborny, defenseman Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre and Tyler Wright had goals for the Blue Jackets, who have lost five straight on the road.
