WINNIPEG, Manitoba, March 22 (UPI) -- Alex Ovechkin scored twice Friday and Washington came close to shutting out Winnipeg for a third straight time in blasting the Jets 6-1.
Braden Holtby made 30 saves, finally giving up a goal to the Jets midway through the third period. He had blanked Winnipeg in each of their last two meetings, including a 4-0 victory Thursday.
Ovechkin gave Washington a 4-0 lead 7:35 into the second period and he delivered the Capitals' final goal on the power play with 4:02 to play in the third.
Washington now trails the first-place Jets by five points in the Southeast Division.
Winnipeg goaltender Ondrej Pavelec was removed in the second period after surrendering three goals on nine shots. Al Montoya made 12 saves in relief.
The lockout-shortened season has produced some strange scheduling in the NHL this year and that was the case with this game, in which Washington played a second straight night against the same team on the road. That had never happened before in the history of the Washington franchise.
