Ovechkin records 1st hat trick of the season in Capitals' 5-2 win at Vegas

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Alex Ovechkin recorded his first hat trick of the season, scoring three goals Sunday night for the Washington Capitals in their 5-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights.

It was his first hat trick since Dec. 31, 2022, against the Montreal Canadiens and 31st of his career, the sixth most in NHL history. Vegas became the 19th team in which Ovechkin scored at least three goals against in a game.

His lone postseason hat trick occurred in 2009 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

“It’s fun to be a part of,” Capitals goalie Logan Thompson said. “I love being his teammate. He’s the face of this franchise, the face of our dressing room. The guy keeps it loose every time, and he’s a lot of fun. It’s very special to be on his team — and him knowing my name.”

Ovechkin got the hat trick with an empty-net goal with 37 seconds left.

“I think we had pretty good opportunities in previous games to do that, so finally we did it,” Ovechkin said.

Ovechkin's three goals gave him 866 for his career, 29 from surpassing Wayne Gretzky as the NHL career leader. It also was his 176th career multigoal game, behind only Gretzky’s 189.

Ovechkin also extended his record to 315 power-play goals with a first-period shot from the left circle to put Washington in front 1-0.

His goal off the rush late in the second period gave the Capitals a 4-2 lead. That play occurred shortly after Oveckin saved a goal with his stick, denying Ivan Barbashev from putting the puck into the open net.

“It kind of happened so quick," Ovechkin said. “I think he didn’t even know the puck goes through in between (Thompson’s) legs. I was kind of surprised. It was luck. Luck was on our side at that moment.”

Freelance writer W.G. Ramirez contributed to this report.

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Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates after scoring against the Vegas Golden Knights for a hat trick during the third period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) scores an open net goal past Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (27) for a hat trick during the third period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates after scoring against the Vegas Golden Knights for a hat trick during the third period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates after scoring against the Vegas Golden Knights for a hat trick during the third period of an NHL hockey game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — A special tribunal in Bangladesh will hear updates from police on Monday about what the country's security agencies have done to arrest ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her close aides who face charges over hundreds of deaths in a mass uprising this summer.

Hasina has been living in exile in India since Aug. 5 when she fled the country amid the student-led protests. The Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal on Oct. 17 issued arrest warrants for Hasina and 45 others including former Cabinet ministers, advisors and military and civil officials. The country is now being run by an interim government headed by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus.

At least 14 people, including a former law minister and a businessman who was Hasina’s private-sector advisor, will appear before the tribunal on Monday, according to B.M. Sultan Mahmud, a prosecutor at the tribunal. Another six people will appear on Wednesday, tribunal officials said. At least 20 suspects have been arrested in the case.

The tribunal will also seek updates from police on their progress in arresting the other suspects, including Hasina.

The chief prosecutor of the tribunal has already sought help from Interpol through the country’s police chief to arrest Hasina. On Sunday, Yunus said in an address to the nation that his administration would seek Hasina's extradition from India.

Authorities say hundreds of people were killed during the uprising in July and August mainly by security agents seeking to quell the initial protests over government jobs. The violence intensified as the protests morphed into an anti-government movement with more bloodshed, ending Hasina’s 15-year rule. Hasina had also earlier sought an investigation into the killings.

FILE- Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina checks her watch as she waits for the official opening time to cast her vote in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Jan. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri, File)