Eller, Kuznetsov power Capitals to OT win over Canucks

VANCOUVER — Lars Eller scored 42 seconds into overtime and the Washington Capitals edged the Vancouver Canucks 4-3 on Friday.

Evgeny Kuznetsov had a hat trick for the Capitals (31-18-11), who have points in five straight games.

Alex Ovechkin notched a pair of assists but will have to wait to take sole possession of third place on the NHL's all-time goal list.

Bo Horvat had a pair of goals for the Canucks (29-23-7), Quinn Hughes scored and notched two assists and J.T. Miller contributed a pair of helpers.

Washington's Vitek Vanecek stopped 23-of-26 shots and Thatcher Demko made 30 saves for Vancouver.

Eller and teammate John Carlson sprinted down the ice on a two-on-one in extra time, with Carlsson slicing a crisp pass to Eller before he put the game-winning shot through Demko's pads.

Washington tied the score at 3-3 with a power-play goal 15:07 into the third after Vancouver's Tyler Myers was called for a check to Kuznetsov's head.

A scramble in front of the Vancouver net set the stage for the equalizer, with Kuznetsov tipping a loose puck between Demko's skate and the post to complete his second career hat trick.

Vancouver came into the third down 2-0 but turned the game around with three quick goals.

The Canucks cut into the deficit just 57 seconds into the frame when Hughes wired a shot from just inside the blue line and beat Vanecek on his blocker side.

Miller notched an assist on the play, extending his point streak to 11 games. The Canucks forward has chalked up seven goals and 16 assists since Feb. 9.

Less than two minutes later, Horvat knotted the score at 2-2 on the power play after Lars Eller was called for tripping.

Miller dished the puck to the Canucks captain at the top of the slot and he sent a one-timer