Ovechkin’s 2 goals lift Capitals past Blue Jackets, 5-3

Washington Capitals' Eric Fehr, right, begins to celebrate his goal as Columbus Blue Jackets' Scott Hartnell, left, skates past during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 3, 2015, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon) Washington Capitals' Eric Fehr, right, begins to celebrate his goal as Columbus Blue Jackets' Scott Hartnell, left, skates past during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, March 3, 2015, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)

By Associated Press March 3, 2015 1 min read

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – Alex Ovechkin added to his NHL-leading total with two goals Tuesday night, leading the charge in a 5-3 victory over the Blue Jackets, Columbus’ seventh loss in a row.

Eric Fehr and Tom Wilson also scored, and Marcus Johansson added an empty-net goal.

Nicklas Backstrom and Jason Chimera each had two assists for the Capitals, who solidified their hold on the first wild-card playoff spot in the East before starting a five-game homestand. Braden Holtby had 27 saves.

Ovechkin, who has won the Richard Trophy as the league’s goal-scoring leader the last two years and four times overall, now has 43.

Scott Hartnell had two goals and an assist – and was stopped on a penalty shot – while David Savard also scored for the Blue Jackets, 0-6-1 in their last seven.