Alexei Kovalev, traded by the Rangers to Pittsburgh last season, matched his career high with four points — a goal and three assists — as Pittsburgh rallied to beat New York 5-4 Sunday night. The victory vaulted the Penguins past the Rangers and Montreal into seventh place in the crowded Eastern Conference playoff race.
Golden gaining
Brett Hull scored his 608th career goal in Dallas’ 5-3 win over San Jose on Sunday. Hull tied Dino Ciccarelli for 10th place on the league’s career list, and is two goals behind his father, Bobby. The Hulls are the only father-son duo with 600 or more goals.
Set-up men
Adam Oates had four assists as Washington defeated Tampa Bay 5-2 Sunday. Oates, with 886 assists, passed Mario Lemieux for 13th place on the NHL’s career list. … Jaromir Jagr had three assists in his first game in nearly a month, helping Pittsburgh beat the Rangers 5-4.
Quotable
“It’s nice when everything is said and done and your name is in the record books. We’ve played unbelievably well since Christmas. This is nice, but our ultimate goal is the Stanley Cup. If we continue this way, it will be worth it.”
Washington goalie Olaf Kolzig, after earning his 36th win of the season Sunday as the Capitals beat Tampa Bay 5-2. The win gave Kolzig the team single-season record for victories.
