Alex Ovechkin, in search of the NHL scoring record, potted an empty-net goal in his return to action as the Washington Capitals upended the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 on Saturday night.

Washington’s captain Ovechkin played his first game since he fractured his left fibula Nov. 18, recording 14 minutes, 58 seconds of ice time, three hits and three shots in addition to his goal

Ovechkin was held off the scoresheet Saturday until firing the puck into an empty net for his 869th career goal. He now trails Wayne Gretzky by 25 for the all-time goals record of 894.

BRUINS 4, BLUE JACKETS 0: Jeremy Swayman stopped 18 shots for his second shutout of the season as Boston topped Columbus. He is 7-1-1 in his last nine starts.

JETS 4, SENATORS 2: Connor Hellebuyck made 33 saves, Nikolaj Ehlers had a goal and two assists and NHL-leading Winnipeg beat Ottawa. The Jets have won three in a row and seven of eight to improve to 26-10-1.

LIGHTNING 6, RANGERS 2: Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov each had a goal and two assists to lead Tampa Bay past reeling New York. The Lightning have won six of seven while the Rangers fell to 4-14 in their past 18 games.

CANADIENS 4, PANTHERS 0: Jakub Dobes stopped 34 shots in his NHL debut, Kirby Dach had his first two-goal game in nearly two years, and Montreal beat Florida.

KRAKEN 5, CANUCKS 4, OT: Vince Dunn scored his second goal of the game 2:15 into overtime and Seattle overcame a three-goal, third-period deficit to beat Vancouver.

HURRICANES 5, DEVILS 2: Jackson Blake scored a go-ahead power-play goal with 9:17 left for Carolina.