Ovechkin leads Capitals past Senators

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Alexander Ovechkin contributed four goals and an assist to lift the visiting Washington Capitals to an 8-6 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.

The Russian scored once in each of the first two periods and twice in the third, hitting the empty net in the final minute to complete his first career four-goal game and reach the 30-goal mark for the season.

Ovechkin had received stitches to close a cut on his leg on Friday before returning on Saturday with his third career hat- trick.

Michael Nylander scored twice for the Capitals who have won both games played at Ottawa this season.

Mike Fisher scored his first career hat-trick and Daniel Alfredsson scored twice for the Senators in the high-scoring game which ended Ottawa's three-game winning streak.

*Experienced goalie Ty Conklin won his fourth straight start, stopping 26 shots as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres 2-0 in Pittsburgh. Conklin has emerged for the Penguins with starter Marc-Andre Fleury injured.

The teams meet again on Tuesday in Buffalo when they will stage the Winter Classic in front of over 70,000 people outdoors at Rich Stadium, the home of the NFL's Bills.

Sidney Crosby set up both goals for the Penguins on Saturday.

The Penguins lost 41-year-old left wing Gary Roberts with a broken leg.

*Kari Lehtonen made 26 saves for his second shutout of the season as the Atlanta Thrashers beat the visiting Boston Bruins 5-0. Boston lost its sixth straight game. The teams play again on Monday in Boston.

*Defenseman Andy Sutton's first goal of the season helped the New York Islanders register a 5-2 home victory over the New Jersey Devils. It was New York's fourth win in as many games against New Jersey this season and ended a three-game winning streak for the Devils.

(Writing by Mike Shalin; Editing by Ed Osmond)