WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin scored four goals to become the first player in 100 years with back-to-back hat tricks to open a season, and the Washington Capitals beat the Montreal Canadiens 6-1 on Saturday night.

Ovechkin had three goals in the third period in Thursday’s opening-night win at Ottawa, then matched the feat while helping chase Montreal goalie Carey Price in the first period Saturday. He added his fourth goal at 16:46 of the second period against Al Montoya.

PENGUINS 4, PREDATORS 0: Evgeni Malkin scored, Matt Murray stopped 26 shots and Pittsburgh beat visiting Nashville in a Stanley Cup finals rematch.

Olli Maatta, Ryan Reaves and Jake Guentzel also scored as the two-time defending champions rebounded from an ugly 10-1 loss Thursday at Chicago.

DEVILS 4, AVALANCHE 1: Hobey Baker Award winner Will Butcher set up three power-play goals in his NHL debut, and New Jersey opened its season with a home victory over Colorado.

ISLANDERS 6, SABRES 3: John Tavares scored twice to lead New York to a victory in its home opener.

MAPLE LEAFS 8, RANGERS 5: Tyler Bozak, Leo Komarov and Nazem Kadri scored third-period goals, and Toronto held on in a wild home opener.

RED WINGS 2, SENATORS 1: Frans Nielsen scored the only goal in the shootout and Jimmy Howard made 37 saves as Detroit won at Ottawa.

HURRICANES 5, WILD 4: Jaccob Slavin scored in the shootout to give Carolina a win in its season opener, at Raleigh, North Carolina.

PANTHERS 5, LIGHTNING 4: Jared McCann scored the tiebreaking goal in the third period after a review overturned the initial ruling of goalie interference, and Florida beat visiting Tampa Bay.

NOTES

FLAMES: Jaromir Jagr sat out the home opener against Winnipeg as he works his way into playing shape after signing Wednesday.