Alex Ovechkin gets 16th career hat trick

OVECHKIN HAT TRICK POWERS CAPITALS WIN

* Ovechkin's hat trick marked the 16th time in his NHL career he has registered three or more goals in a game. Per Elias, the six-time Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy winner broke a tie with Jaromir Jagr (15) for most career hat tricks among active players
* Ovechkin scored his fourth game-winning goal of the season and the 92nd of his career, tied with Mike Modano, Mark Messier and Jeremy Roenick for 16th all-time.

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WEDNESDAY'S RESULTS

Home Team in Caps
MINNESOTA 3, Winnipeg 1
Detroit 2, BUFFALO 1 (SO)
NEW JERSEY 5, Toronto 4 (SO)
Pittsburgh 6, NY RANGERS 1
WASHINGTON 4, St. Louis 3
Calgary 2, COLUMBUS 0
TAMPA BAY 4, Philadelphia 2
NASHVILLE 5, Dallas 2
SAN JOSE 2, Chicago 1
Edmonton 6, COLORADO 3
Vancouver 4, ARIZONA 1
LOS ANGELES 4, NY Islanders 2

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CROSBY, PENGUINS EXPLODE FOR SIX STRAIGHT GOALS

The Pittsburgh Penguins scored six consecutive goals, including five in the second period, to even their home-and-home series against the New York Rangers with a 6 -1 win.
* Per Elias, the Penguins scored five or more goals in one period for the first time since scoring five times in the third period of an 8-3 win against the Carolina Hurricanes on April 27, 2013.
* Penguins captain Sidney Crosby ignited the offense with two goals and an assist and leads the League with 14 goals this season (14-5-19 in 14 games).

McDAVID, POINTS LEADERS STAY HOT

Each of the NHL's top five points leaders were in action on Wednesday with Connor McDavid (1-2-3) of the Edmonton Oilers, Vladimir Tarasenko (2-0-2) of the St. Louis Blues and Nikita Kucherov (1-0-1) of the Tampa Bay Lightning adding to their respective totals. McDavid has registered multiple points in three consecutive games (4-4-8).

Season Leaders, Points

1. Connor McDavid (EDM): 9-18-27
   2. Nikita Kucherov (TBL): 10-14-24
   3. Mark Scheifele (WPG): 11-12-23
      t-4. Vladimir Tarasenko (STL): 9-13-22
      t-4. Tyler Seguin (DAL): 7-15-22

DEVILS, PREDATORS AND KINGS ENJOY HOME COOKIN'

The New Jersey Devils, Nashville Predators and the Los Angeles Kings earned victories on Wednesday to build on their respective home winning streaks:
* The Devils overcame deficits of 3-0 and 4-3 to improve to 7-0-1 at home, including four straight wins. According to Elias, New Jersey has earned points in its first eight or more home games of a season for the third time in franchise history (also 1987-88: 8-0-1 and 1990-91: 7-0-1). Elias adds the Devils overcame a three-goal deficit to win for the first time since Dec. 8, 2011 vs. the Ottawa Senators (5-4 shootout win).
* Filip Forsberg (1-1-2), Ryan Johansen (1-1-2) and James Neal (1-1-2) each recorded multi-point games to help the Predators improve to 6-0-1 in their last seven games at Bridgestone Arena, including five consecutive victories. Goalie Pekka Rinne (33 saves) improved to 7-1-2 in his last 10 games following a 1-4-1 start to the season.
* Tied 1-1 late in the third period, the Los Angeles Kings scored three times in 44 seconds to win their fifth consecutive home game and improve their overall winning streak to four games. Dwight King scored back-to-back goals 25 seconds apart to eclipse 100 career points (48-53-101).

LOOSE PUCKS

The Lightning improved to 5-1-0 in their last six games . . . Calgary Flames goaltender Chad Johnson (34 saves) recorded his second shutout of the season . . . Devils forward Michael Cammalleri (1-3-4) registered his first four-point game since Feb. 13, 2013 vs. the Dallas Stars (3-1-4 win against Calgary) . . . Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov scored his first career NHL goal (21 GP) . . . Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (2-1-3) snapped a 13-game goalless drought . . . Oilers forward Milan Lucic (1-3-4) had four points to equal his career high from Oct. 25, 2008 against the Atlanta Thrashers when (3-1-4 with the Boston Bruins) and Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (1-1-2) extended his point streak to five games (4-4-8) . . . Vancouver Canucks forward Sven Baertschi (1-2-3) had a career-high three points while teammate Bo Horvat (1-2-3) matched his career high for points in a game from Nov. 23, 2014 against the Chicago Blackhawks (0-3-3).

SNEAK PEEK AT THURSDAY'S ACTION

All Times Eastern
Carolina Hurricanes at Montreal Canadiens, 7:30 p.m., ET; SN360, NHLN-US, RDS, FS-CR
Boston Bruins at Ottawa Senators, 7:30 p.m., ET; RDS2, TSN5, NESN

NHL FLOAT RETURNS FOR THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE

The Discover NHL "Frozen Fall Fun" float returns to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday.
The 36-foot long by 20-foot wide float features a synthetic ice rink with children skating, a 12-foot tall turkey that serves as a goal and an assortment of colorful fall décor.
Riding aboard the float will be former Flyers forward and 2016 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Eric Lindros, former Rangers great Adam Graves and singer Daya.
The float promotes the 2016 Discover NHL Thanksgiving Showdown, which will take place on Friday between the Rangers and Flyers at Wells Fargo Center (1 p.m., NBC).