NHL Capsules: Kunitz scores hat trick for Penguins against Capitals

WASHINGTON - Chris Kunitz scored a hat trick in the Pittsburgh Penguins' Super Bowl Sunday visit to the nation's capital, leading a 6-3 win over the Washington Capitals that reflected both teams' fortunes so far in the lockout-shortened season.

Kris Letang, Paul Martin and Matt Cooke also scored, Sidney Crosby had three assists, and Tomas Vokoun made 21 saves against his former team for the Penguins (6-3), who have won three straight and four of five to lead the Atlantic Division.

Mike Green, Carlson and Mike Ribeiro scored for the Capitals—and Carlson's goal was an accident that took a weird carom off a stanchion along the glass.

Two-time league MVP Alex Ovechkin, who said before the game that he was somewhat embarrassed to have only three points on the season, contributed a secondary assist on a third-period power-play goal with Washington (2-6-1) trailing by three.

PANTHERS 4, SABRES 3

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP)—Defenceman Brian Campbell scored on the power play with 10:33 remaining to cap Florida's three-goal rally and the Panthers beat Buffalo.

Peter Mueller, George Parros and Shawn Matthias also scored for the Panthers, who won their first road game of the season and snapped a seven-game road winless drought (0-5-2) dating to last season. Florida (3-5) rallied from a 3-1 deficit to win two straight since enduring a five-game skid.

Thomas Vanek and Cody Hodgson had a goal and assist each, and Alexander Sulzer also scored for Buffalo, which dropped to 1-5-1 since opening the season with two wins.

The Sabres were playing their third game in four days.

DEVILS 2, ISLANDERS 0

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP)—Johan Hedberg made 22 saves for his 22nd career shutout, leading New Jersey to a win over the Islanders.

Steve Bernier scored for New Jersey in the third period and David Clarkson added an empty-netter to help the Devils snap a four-game winless streak (0-1-3).

New York (4-3-1) outshot the Devils 10-7 in a high-tempo first period, while New Jersey (4-1-3) implemented its trademark defensive system in the second.

Hedberg's biggest save came 8:08 into the third period when he stoned New York right wing Michael Grabner on a short-handed breakaway with the game scoreless.

CANADIENS 2, SENATORS 1

MONTREAL (AP)—David Desharnais and Erik Cole scored first-period goals and Montreal held on for a victory over Ottawa.

The win completed a sweep of weekend matinees at home for Montreal (6-2-0) after a 6-1 win Saturday over the Buffalo Sabres. The Canadiens have won five straight at home after dropping their home opener to Toronto on Jan. 19.

Jakob Silfverberg scored for Ottawa (5-3-1), which was coming off a 1-0 loss at Carolina on Friday night. Senators goalie Craig Anderson has not conceded a goal after the first period in eight games this season.