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Ovechkin, McMichael each scores twice as Capitals skate to 8-1 victory over the Blues

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Ovechkin, McMichael each scores twice as Capitals skate to 8-1 victory over the Blues
Sport

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Ovechkin, McMichael each scores twice as Capitals skate to 8-1 victory over the Blues

2024-11-10 10:44 Last Updated At:10:50

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Washington’s Alex Ovechkin and Connor McMichael each scored two goals Saturday night, sparking the Capitals to an 8-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues.

Ovechkin has scored 863 goals and is just 31 goals behind Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record 894. Ovechkin has scored goals in six of his last seven games. It also marked the 175th multigoal game of Ovechkin’s 20-year, trailing only Gretzky (189).

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St. Louis Blues' Zack Bolduc is unable to score past Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson, right, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Zack Bolduc is unable to score past Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson, right, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Scott Perunovich (48) skates past Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson (48) after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Scott Perunovich (48) skates past Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson (48) after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Pierre-Olivier Joseph (77) handles the puck as Washington Capitals' Brandon Duhaime (22) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Pierre-Olivier Joseph (77) handles the puck as Washington Capitals' Brandon Duhaime (22) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Washington Capitals' Connor McMichael (24) handles the puck as St. Louis Blues' Scott Perunovich (48) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Washington Capitals' Connor McMichael (24) handles the puck as St. Louis Blues' Scott Perunovich (48) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin, left, is congratulated by teammates after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin, left, is congratulated by teammates after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Alexey Toropchenko (13) and Washington Capitals' John Carlson battle for a loose puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Alexey Toropchenko (13) and Washington Capitals' John Carlson battle for a loose puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Washington Capitals' Nic Dowd (26) and St. Louis Blues' Matthew Kessel battle for a loose puck along the boards during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Washington Capitals' Nic Dowd (26) and St. Louis Blues' Matthew Kessel battle for a loose puck along the boards during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Justin Faulk (72) shoots past Washington Capitals' Nic Dowd (26) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Justin Faulk (72) shoots past Washington Capitals' Nic Dowd (26) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Washington Capitals' Rasmus Sandin, right, celebrates after scoring as St. Louis Blues' Pierre-Olivier Joseph skates in the background during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Washington Capitals' Rasmus Sandin, right, celebrates after scoring as St. Louis Blues' Pierre-Olivier Joseph skates in the background during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Brandon Saad (20) controls the puck as Blues' Dylan Holloway (81) and Washington Capitals' Rasmus Sandin (38) watch during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Brandon Saad (20) controls the puck as Blues' Dylan Holloway (81) and Washington Capitals' Rasmus Sandin (38) watch during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin, center, is congratulated by teammates Dylan Strome and Tom Wilson (43) after scoring during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin, center, is congratulated by teammates Dylan Strome and Tom Wilson (43) after scoring during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Jakob Chychrun, Rasmus Sandin, Michael Sgarbossa and Brandon Duhaime also scored for Washington.

Goaltender Logan Thompson, acquired in an offseason trade with Vegas, is a perfect 7-0-0 on the season. He recorded 24 saves.

Scott Perunovich scored the lone St. Louis goal. Jordan Binnington faced 27 shots for the Blues.

Capitals: McMichael has points in three consecutive games and six of his last seven outings overall. McMichael scored 59 seconds into the game and added a power-play in the third period.

Blues: Perunovich scored his first career goal on a wrist shot from the slot at 7:07. It was his first goal in 79 games.

In the second period, St. Louis outshot Washington 11-4 but was outscored 2-0. Ovechkin scored his ninth goal of the season at 7:42. Washington then went up 3-1 when Chychrun scored from the top of the slot at 10:53.

The Blues power play woes continued. St. Louis went 0 for 3 in the game. They are 0 for 13 in their last five games on the power play. The Blues have been on the power play 37 times in 15 games and have scored just four times.

The Blues end a five-game homestand Tuesday against Boston. The Capitals will host the Maple Leafs on Wednesday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL

St. Louis Blues' Zack Bolduc is unable to score past Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson, right, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Zack Bolduc is unable to score past Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson, right, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Scott Perunovich (48) skates past Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson (48) after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Scott Perunovich (48) skates past Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson (48) after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Pierre-Olivier Joseph (77) handles the puck as Washington Capitals' Brandon Duhaime (22) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Pierre-Olivier Joseph (77) handles the puck as Washington Capitals' Brandon Duhaime (22) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Washington Capitals' Connor McMichael (24) handles the puck as St. Louis Blues' Scott Perunovich (48) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Washington Capitals' Connor McMichael (24) handles the puck as St. Louis Blues' Scott Perunovich (48) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin, left, is congratulated by teammates after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin, left, is congratulated by teammates after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Alexey Toropchenko (13) and Washington Capitals' John Carlson battle for a loose puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Alexey Toropchenko (13) and Washington Capitals' John Carlson battle for a loose puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Washington Capitals' Nic Dowd (26) and St. Louis Blues' Matthew Kessel battle for a loose puck along the boards during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Washington Capitals' Nic Dowd (26) and St. Louis Blues' Matthew Kessel battle for a loose puck along the boards during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Justin Faulk (72) shoots past Washington Capitals' Nic Dowd (26) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Justin Faulk (72) shoots past Washington Capitals' Nic Dowd (26) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Washington Capitals' Rasmus Sandin, right, celebrates after scoring as St. Louis Blues' Pierre-Olivier Joseph skates in the background during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Washington Capitals' Rasmus Sandin, right, celebrates after scoring as St. Louis Blues' Pierre-Olivier Joseph skates in the background during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Brandon Saad (20) controls the puck as Blues' Dylan Holloway (81) and Washington Capitals' Rasmus Sandin (38) watch during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Brandon Saad (20) controls the puck as Blues' Dylan Holloway (81) and Washington Capitals' Rasmus Sandin (38) watch during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin, center, is congratulated by teammates Dylan Strome and Tom Wilson (43) after scoring during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin, center, is congratulated by teammates Dylan Strome and Tom Wilson (43) after scoring during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Riley Leonard passed for a touchdown, Jayden Harrison returned a kickoff 98 yards for a score, and Notre Dame's defense made it hold up in a 23-10 victory over No. 2 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on Thursday that sent the third-ranked Fighting Irish into the semifinals of the College Football Playoff.

In a game that was delayed by a day because of a deadly terror attack in the host city, Notre Dame (13-1, CFP No. 5) made enough big plays and got some help from a clever move by coach Marcus Freeman.

“Our coaches called the game aggressive. Our players executed, put everything on the line for this university and this football team,” Freeman said. “I’m really proud of them. Proud of the way they handled the events of the last 24 hours.”

Georgia (11-2, CFP No. 2) was in position to close within one score when Notre Dame stopped it on fourth-and-5 from the Irish 9-yard line with 9:29 to go.

Minutes later, Notre Dame had a fourth-and-short deep in his own territory when Freeman sent the punt team out before running all 11 players off the field and sending the offense out. Georgia raced to match up and then jumped offside as the play clock ticked down, giving the Irish a clock-sapping first down with 7:17 to go.

“They were going to hard-count us. We prepare for that. We do it every week,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. “We jumped offsides.”

By the time the Bulldogs got the ball back, just 1:49 remained, and Notre Dame was well on its way to its 12th straight victory and a date with No. 5 Penn State (13-2, CFP No. 6 seed) in a semifinal at the Orange Bowl in Miami on Jan. 9.

“That’s the aggressiveness in terms of our preparation that I want our program to have,” Freeman said. “That’s got to be one of our edges, that we are going to be an aggressive group and not fear making mistakes.”

Georgia entered the game without starting quarterback Carson Beck, who injured his elbow in the Southeastern Conference championship game. He was replaced by Gunner Stockton, who was 20 of 32 for 234 yards and one touchdown.

The Bulldogs outgained Notre Dame 296 yards to 244, but Georgia was stopped on all three of its fourth-down attempts and lost two fumbles — one deep in Notre Dame territory and one inside its own 20.

“The turnovers are the difference in the game, guys,” Smart said. “I mean, you should know when you turn it over twice and they return a kickoff for a touchdown, you’re not going to have a lot of success.”

Leonard finished with 90 yards passing and a team-high 80 yards rushing, including a late first-down run in which he was sent head over heels as he tried to leap over a defender.

“We’re in the playoffs,” Leonard said. “Everybody else can put their body on the line, I’m going to do it right there with them.”

The game had been set for Wednesday night as part of a New Year's Day playoff tripleheader, but it was postponed after an Army veteran inspired by the Islamic State group drove a pickup truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street early Wednesday morning, killing 14 revelers. Security was increased at the Superdome — which will also host the Super Bowl next month — and arriving fans said they felt safe.

With some fans unable to alter their travel plans, attendance in the 70,000-seat stadium was announced at 68,400. There were some patches of empty seats in the upper levels, but passionate supporters made no shortage of noise trying to will their teams into the next round of college football's first 12-team playoff.

The game was tied at 3-all before Notre Dame scored 17 points in a span of 54 seconds.

The unusual sequence began with Mitch Jeter’s 48-yard field goal with 39 seconds left in first half.

Soon after, Georgia paid for a decision to attempt a drop-back pass from its own 25. RJ Oben’s blind-side sack caused Stockton to fumble at the 13, where Irish defensive lineman Junior Tuihalamaka recovered. Leonard found Beaux Collins over the middle for a touchdown on the next play for a 13-3 lead that stood at halftime.

By the time 15 seconds had elapsed in the third quarter, Notre Dame led 20-3.

Harrison took Georgia's second-half kickoff all the way to the end zone, slipping a tackle near the middle of the field, cutting toward the right sideline and outrunning everyone.

Georgia closed the gap to 20-10 when Stockton hit reserve running back Cash Jones for a 32-yard score before Jeter’s third field goal of the game gave the Irish their winning margin.

Notre Dame: With a dominant defense and the dual-threat nature of Leonard’s playmaking, the Irish look dangerous heading into the semifinals.

Georgia: A team trying to win big games without its starting QB can’t afford big mistakes, and missed opportunities doomed the Bulldogs and Smart, who will have to wait a year for another chance at his third national title.

Notre Dame: The Irish resume a series with the Nittany Lions that is currently even at 9-9-1.

Georgia: The 2025 season opener will be at home against Marshall on Aug. 30.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

Notre Dame's Jayden Harrison (2) returns a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown during the second half against Georgia in the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Notre Dame's Jayden Harrison (2) returns a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown during the second half against Georgia in the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts (0) celebrates with teammate Armel Mukam (88) during the second half against Georgia in the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts (0) celebrates with teammate Armel Mukam (88) during the second half against Georgia in the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Notre Dame linebacker Jaiden Ausberry (4) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the first half against Georgia in the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Notre Dame linebacker Jaiden Ausberry (4) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the first half against Georgia in the quarterfinals of a College Football Playoff, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Notre Dame players celebrate after quarterfinal game against Georgia in a College Football Playoff, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Notre Dame players celebrate after quarterfinal game against Georgia in a College Football Playoff, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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