Alex Ovechkin scored two of his three goals over 56 seconds in the second period as the Capitals beat the Panthers 4-3 on Friday.

Ovechkin has 18 goals overall, most through 21 games in a season by a player in at least his 17th season. 

The New York Islanders' long wait to open their new arena is finally over. The wins will have to come later.

Nearly four years after winning the bid to build a new home next to Belmont Park, the Islanders opened the doors to UBS Arena on Saturday night. The Calgary Flames were the Islanders' first home opponent this season after the team spent the first 6½ weeks of the season playing 13 road games.

"It's a beautiful building," said Lonny Lehman, a first-time season-ticket holder from East Meadow, New York, a short drive from the Coliseum. "[Looking forward to] just having a home again. ... It's been a long time coming. Our politicians failed us. Fortunately, our new owners kept us here and they're going to have a nice following."

Alex Ovechkin passed Brett Hull for fourth in NHL goals when the forward scored No. 742 for the Washington Capitals against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on Friday.

"It means a lot," Ovechkin said. "When you start playing hockey, when you come to the NHL, you never thought you'd be in that position with those names.

"It's a special moment with my parents, my wife, kids, obviously."

Alex Ovechkin scored his 741st career goal to tie Brett Hull for fourth on the NHL's all-time list, and the Washington Capitals outlasted the Buffalo Sabres 5-3 Monday night.