Jakob Chychrun scored twice during a second-period surge and the visiting Washington Capitals raced past the Pittsburgh Penguins 8-3 on Saturday.

Alexander Ovechkin was held without a goal to remain at 879 for his career, 15 away from tying Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky’s all-time mark. The Capitals hardly needed the Russian superstar in their return from the 4 Nations Face-Off break.

Chychrun beat Alex Nedeljokvic twice in less than four minutes to break open a tie game. Aliaksei Protas and Tom Wilson pushed Washington’s lead to 6-2 by the end of the period as the Metropolitan Division-leading Capitals improved to 13-1-6 in their last 20 games.

Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby — fresh off Team Canada’s victory at 4 Nations — scored his 18th of the season on a pretty backhand 6:36 into the second that briefly tied the game before Washington took firm control. The goal was the 610th of Crosby’s career, tying him with Bobby Hull for 18th in NHL history.

SABRES 8, RANGERS 2 >> Rasmus Dahlin scored twice and had an assist, and host Buffalo capitalized on a five-goal first period in a win over New York.

Tage Thompson and Ryan McLeod also each scored twice, and Jason Zucker had three assists as the Sabres improved to 5-1 in their past six games.

The Rangers failed to build on the momentum of their pre-break 11-5-2 run.

Igor Shesterkin was pulled with 1:39 left in the first period after allowing five goals on 16 shots. Jonathan Quick finished the game allowing three goals on 17 shots.

STARS 4, DEVILS 2 >> Evgenii Dadonov and defenseman Thomas Harley scored first-period goals and Casey DeSmith made 31 saves as Dallas won at New Jersey.

Matt Duchene and Wyatt Johnston also scored for the Stars.

Jack Hughes scored twice for the Devils.

KRAKEN 2, PANTHERS 1 >> Jared McCann scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period and Seattle edged Florida.

Kaappo Kakko also had a goal for the Kraken, who snapped a three-game skid.

The Atlantic Division-leading Panthers played without star forward Matthew Tkachuk after he suffered a lower body injury in the 4 Nations Face-Off.

WILD 4, RED WINGS 3 (OT) >> Marco Rossi scored with 1:25 remaining in overtime as visiting Minnesota rallied to defeat Detroit.

Rossi had just come out of the penalty box after being called for hooking. He wound up with a breakaway and his shot squirted past the goal line.

Minnesota rallied from a 3-1 third-period deficit.

FLYERS 6, OILERS 3 >> Matvei Michkov and Sean Couturier each had a goal and two assists, Owen Tippett scored a pair of goals and Philadelphia won at home over Edmonton.

PREDATORS 2, AVALANCHE 1 >> Jonathan Marchessault scored at 9:11 of the third period to give Nashville a home victory over Colorado.