National Hockey

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Blue Jackets only had Seth Jones for two periods. It turned out to be more than enough.

WASHINGTON — Everyone around Alex Ovechkin had a hunch this was his night. His wife, Nastya, had flown back from Moscow just in time. Coach Barry Trotz noticed Ovechkin was unusually quiet.

WASHINGTON — Patrik Laine knows where he stands. The Winnipeg Jets winger might not keep track of each time Alex Ovechkin or Evgeni Malkin scores, but he knows how many goals they have.

WASHINGTON — Make it 600 goals and counting for Alex Ovechkin, and give the Washington Capitals two more points for the tough playoff race in the Eastern Conference.

NEW YORK — Jimmy Vesey's first career hat trick came at a good time for the struggling Rangers. Vesey scored three times, Mats Zuccarello had two goals and New York beat the Carolina Hurricanes 6-3 on Monday night.

Mike Babcock agrees, albeit somewhat begrudgingly, that Evgeni Malkin probably hasn't received all the recognition he's deserved throughout a career spent playing alongside fellow Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby.

TORONTO — Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews has taken another step towards returning to Toronto's lineup. The 20-year-old suited up for his first full practice Monday since suffering a shoulder injury on Feb. 22.

GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Arizona Coyotes have granted head coach Rick Tocchet a leave of absence while he deals with a family illness. Coyotes general manager John Chayka made the announcement Monday.

NEW YORK — Winnipeg Jets right-winger Patrik Laine, Boston Bruins left-wing Brad Marchand and Pittsburgh Penguins centre Evgeni Malkin have been named the NHL's three stars for the week ending Sunday.

WASHINGTON — Winnipeg Jets top centre Mark Scheifele remains out with an upper-body injury and is expected to miss Tuesday night's game at Nashville. Coach Paul Maurice says he's going to be cautious with Scheifele with the playoffs a month away.