Ovechkin celebrates cancer survivor with hat trick for Capitals

The NHL celebrated its 100th birthday on Sunday. The League was formed at the Windsor Hotel in Montreal on Nov. 26, 1917.
On Saturday, in another part of Canada, Alex Ovechkin had his own party that included a special guest.

The Capitals forward not only invited 13-year-old cancer survivor Alex Luey to his game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, he promised the boy he would score a goal for him.
He delivered, scoring three in
Washington's 4-2 victory
.
It was the third hat trick of the season and 20th of his NHL career for Ovechkin, who became the 16th player in NHL history to have at least 20 hat tricks. He has 576 NHL goals, good for 21st on the all-time list and one behind Mark Recchi at No. 20.
Ovechkin also scored his 18th goal of the season to move him one ahead of Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov for the League lead.
But his biggest highlight was
meeting with Luey before and after the game
.

Toews connects for Blackhawks
Jonathan Toews scores with one hand on his stick to beat Roberto Luongo in the
Chicago Blackhawks' 4-1 win
against the Florida Panthers.

NHL turns 100
The NHL is celebrating the
100th anniversary of its formation Sunday
.

Couture strikes shorthanded

Logan Couture goes end to end before beating Connor Hellebuyck for a shorthanded goal late in the second period of the
San Jose Sharks' 4-0 win against the Winnipeg Jets
.

Canadiens fan recovering from cancer announces starting lineup

Danila Kayali, a 16-year-old in remission of osteosarcoma,
lived the dream of announcing the Montreal Canadiens starting lineup
before their game against the Buffalo Sabres.

Backlund's 100th NHL goal lifts Flames

Mikael Backlund scored his 100th NHL goal, helping the
Calgary Flames past the Colorado Avalanche 3-2
.

Kunitz given standing ovation in return to Pittsburgh

Chris Kunitz played his first game in Pittsburgh as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Pittsburgh Penguins fans made sure to recognize the forward
, who helped the Penguins win the Stanley Cup three times in nine seasons.

Golden Knights score three in 1:42 to defeat Coyotes

Tomas Nosek, William Karlsson and Erik Haula each scored in a span of 1:42 and the Vegas Golden Knights extended their winning streak to five games with a
4-2 victory
against the Arizona Coyotes.