Carolina’s Bad Start Continues

Alex Ovechkin broke a tie with two third-period goals, Alexander Semin had a hat trick, and the Capitals beat the Carolina Hurricanes, 5-2, Saturday night at Washington, the third consecutive loss for the Stanley Cup champions.

The Hurricanes were playing their third game in four nights after consecutive losses at home.

“We’re kidding ourselves. We’re taking bad penalties instead of doing the work. We’re mouthing off instead of doing the work. And selfish acts are costing us games,” Carolina Coach Peter Laviolette said. “It needs to be corrected, and it will be.”

Detroit 2, Pittsburgh 0 -- Nicklas Lidstrom and the Red Wings’ defense held the Penguins to 13 shots, and Johan Franzen scored the pivotal goal in the first period at Pittsburgh.

N.Y. Rangers 5, Philadelphia 4 -- Marcel Hossa beat Antero Niittymaki in the 13th round of a shootout to lift the Rangers at Philadelphia.

Montreal 3, Toronto 2 -- Michael Ryder scored in a shootout to lift the visiting Canadiens.

Buffalo 4, Ottawa 3 -- Chris Drury had a goal and an assist to help the visiting Sabres.

San Jose 2, N.Y. Islanders 0 -- Matt Carle and Christian Ehrhoff scored in the first period to lead the host Sharks.

Atlanta 6, Florida 0 -- Marian Hossa had two goals and an assist, and goalie Kari Lehtonen stopped 22 shots for the Thrashers at Atlanta.

Boston 3, Tampa Bay 2 -- Patrice Bergeron scored the tiebreaking goal in the third period for the Bruins at Tampa, Fla.

Minnesota 6, Nashville 5 -- Brian Rolston scored the winning goal with 1:11 left, and the host Wild tied a team record with five power-play goals.

Calgary 2, Edmonton 1 -- Marcus Nilson broke a tie late in the second period, and Stephane Yelle added a goal and an assist for the host Flames.

Dallas 3, New Jersey 1 -- New captain Brenden Morrow had a goal and an assist, and Eric Lindros scored his first goal of the season at Dallas.

Columbus 5, Chicago 4 -- Rick Nash scored twice and Columbus bounced back from an early two-goal deficit with five straight goals at Chicago.

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Referee Rob Martell will sit out at least one week after being hit in the left eye with an errant puck Thursday during the San Jose-St. Louis game.