Alex Ovechkin scored the first playoff overtime goal of his NHL career to give the Capitals a 3-2 victory over the Canadiens in Game 1 of their NHL first-round playoff series on Monday night in Washington.

Fresh off breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record for the most goals in league history 15 days earlier, Ovechkin’s second of the game 3:26 into OT allowed the Eastern Conference top-seeded Capitals to escape after blowing a two-goal third-period lead.

“A goal is a goal,” said the 39-year-old Ovechkin, who went his first 44 playoff OT games without scoring the winner. “It doesn’t matter. (And) in the playoffs, especially, it doesn’t matter who scores. I think it gives you confidence.

Phillip Danault scored his second goal with 42 seconds to play, and the Kings blew a four-goal lead before rallying for a 6-5 victory over the visiting Oilers in the opener of the clubs’ fourth consecutive first-round Western Conference series. Connor McDavid had a goal and three assists for the Oilers. ... Colin Blackwell scored 17:46 into OT and the host Stars beat the Avalanche 4-3 in Game 2 to even up the West series. Tyler Seguin, Thomas Harley and Evgenii Dadonov also had goals for the Stars. ... Mark Scheifele had a goal and assist, Kyle Connor scored his second consecutive game-winner in the third period, and the top-seeded Jets beat the visiting Blues 2-1 for a 2-0 lead in the West series. Connor Hellebuyck stopped 21 shots in the victory. ... The Islanders will not renew President and GM Lou Lamoriello’s contract. Lamoriello, 82, spent the last seven seasons running their hockey operations with a close connection to ownership.

College football: Cincinnati freshman OL Jeremiah Kelly, an 18-year-old early enrollee who went through spring practice with the team, died unexpectedly at his off-campus residence. The school didn’t disclose a cause of death.