The last time Alex Ovechkin put a puck in the net was December 6, when Toronto visited the Verizon Center.
Three weeks later, the man who led the NHL in points per game last season (1.39) is back to scoring goals.
"He finally got a bounce that went in his direction,'' coach Bruce Boudreau said.
Ovechkin's goal came in the second period, putting in a rebound off of a Mike Green shot. Ovi also recorded an assist in the 3 -2 victory over the Hurricanes. Ovechkin made a quick move to steal the puck at center ice in the first period, beating a defenseman before feeding David Steckel, who scored with a wrist shot.
Mathieu Perreault got the first goal for the Caps, but was forced to leave the game early. Perreault broke his nose in a bloody collision with the Hurricanes' defenseman Tim Gleason, who was ejected over the hit. Boudreau said that Perrault's status is day-to-day.
An announced crowd of 10,477 slogged through the rare 6-inch snow in Raleigh to see the Hurricanes' loss.
