Penguins even series with 5-3 win

Alex Ovechkin disappeared, at least as much as the game’s most dominant scorer can, and so did all the magic Simeon Varlamov was working.

The Pittsburgh Penguins shook off an opening-minute Washington goal, scored three times in less than 12 minutes in the first period against a suddenly vulnerable Varlamov and beat the Capitals, 5-3, on Friday night at Pittsburgh to even the Eastern Conference semifinal at two games each.

Washington scored one-goal victories at home in each of the first two games as Ovechkin scored a combined four goals, but he was shut out on two shots. Penguins star Sidney Crosby had his playoffs-leading ninth goal and an assist.

“They were desperate down here,” Capitals Coach Bruce Boudreau said. “Alex is only human; he can’t be unbelievable every night.”

Pittsburgh defenseman Sergei Gonchar was helped off the ice late in the first period after absorbing a knee-on-knee hit from Ovechkin. There was no immediate word about the injury.

Carolina 4, Boston 1 -- Eric Staal scored two goals to break the club career playoff scoring record, and the Hurricanes pushed the top-seeded Boston Bruins to the brink of elimination at Raleigh, N.C. The Hurricanes lead the Eastern Conference semifinal series 3-1.

Jussi Jokinen scored the go-ahead goal at 2:52 of the third and assisted on the two goals that followed, and Sergei Samsonov added a goal for the Hurricanes.

Marc Savard scored for the Bruins, who have lost three straight since sweeping Montreal in the first round and winning the opener against Carolina.