Kuznetsov Shines, Capitals Beat Canucks 4-1

WASHINGTON (AP) — On the night Alex Ovechkin was honored for his 500th goal, fellow Russian forward Evgeny Kuznetsov had two goals and an assist and the Washington Capitals beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-1 Thursday for their fifth straight victory.

Kuznetsov scored his 14th and 15th goals of the season and set up Tom Wilson on a night the Capitals got a rare goal from defenseman Karl Alzner and 29 saves from Braden Holtby.

Holtby has gotten the Capitals at least a point in each of his past 22 decisions and passed Don Beaupre for second in franchise history with his 129th win.

In his return from an eight-game absence with a groin strain, Vancouver's Ryan Miller allowed three goals on 39 shots.

Radim Vrbata scored for the Canucks, who were beginning a six-game Eastern Conference trip.