Ovechkin scores in shootout, Caps capture win

Alex Ovechkin scored the only shootout goal Friday night in Washington, lifting the Capitals to a 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Thrashers.

Atlanta’s Ilya Kovalchuk shot wide left, Marian Hossa fired wide right and Capitals goalie Olaf Kolzig gobbled up Peter Bondra’s attempt that would have prolonged the Thrashers’ first shootout.

Ovechkin, Washington’s first shooter, deked goalie Mike Dunham off his skates and then pushed the puck under his right leg.

“The Capitals were granted a temporary restraining order against holdout Alexander Semin, preventing the Russian forward’s representatives from negotiating contracts with any team other than Washington.

“Capitals forward Chris Clark was fined $2,000 by the NHL for elbowing Flyers defenseman Eric Desjardins in the head Thursday.

Canucks 5, Blue Jackets 3: In Vancouver, British Columbia, Anson Carter had a goal and two assists, lifting Vancouver to a win over Columbus.

“Blue Jackets star forward Rick Nash was put on injured reserve and could miss four to six weeks after injuring his left knee.

Sharks 1, Mighty Ducks 0 (OT): In Anaheim, Calif., Marcel Goc scored a power-play goal 51 seconds into overtime and Nolan Schaefer made 21 saves for his first NHL shutout, leading San Jose past Anaheim.

Stars 9, Blackhawks 1: In Dallas, Stu Barnes capped a hat trick with a short-handed goal and Jason Arnott scored twice and had an assist as Dallas routed Chicago.

Canadiens 3, Sabres 2: In Buffalo, N.Y., Niklas Sundstrom scored with just less than 3 minutes left to lift Montreal over Buffalo.

Oilers 7, Blues 2: In St. Louis, Mo., Jarrett Stoll had his first career two-goal game and added two assists to help Edmonton beat St. Louis for its fifth straight win.

Off the ice

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman’s celebration of the first month of the season included a meeting with congressmen leading the push for steroids legislation.

Bettman met with Reps. Tom Davis, R-Va., and Henry Waxman, D-Calif., for half an hour, Davis spokesman Rob White said.

“We had a candid dialogue,” Bettman told the Associated Press. “We made sure the lines of communications were open.”

“An assault charge was withdrawn against former NHL enforcer Bob Probert, accused of brawling with police at his home.

The 40-year-old Probert had been charged with assault with intent to resist arrest in July.