RALEIGH, N.C. — Alexander Semin had two goals and three assists to take the NHL scoring lead, and the Washington Capitals routed the Carolina Hurricanes 5-1 on Wednesday night to take sole possession of the Southeast Division lead.
Alex Ovechkin had a goal and two assists, and Nicklas Backstrom had a goal and three assists for the quick-starting Capitals. They led 3-1 after one period and cruised to their third consecutive victory.
Mike Green added a goal and an assist for Washington.
The Capitals dominated from start to finish, and Semin had a hand in all five goals. He scored his 13th on a one-time feed from Ovechkin midway through the second to move one ahead of Buffalo’s Thomas Vanek.
Semin has 27 points, three more than Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin.
Scott Walker scored on the power play for Carolina.
