Alex Ovechkin was kicked out early, the Washington Capitals fell behind 3-0, and that's when they showed why they have the NHL's best record and highest-scoring offense.

Nicklas Backstrom scored unassisted with 1:50 left in overtime -- his second goal of the game -- to give the visiting Capitals a 4-3 comeback victory Sunday.

"It's a strong sign, especially now at the end of the season," Backstrom said. "We know he [Ovechkin] is a key to our team and he scores a lot of goals. We have shown that we can play, that our other key players can, play, too."

After his sprint up the side, Backstrom maneuvered around Chicago defenseman Brent Seabrook in the left circle and beat Antti Niemi.

Ovechkin, the two-time MVP and the league's leading scorer this season, got a game misconduct in the first period for knocking Chicago's Brian Campbell into the boards.

"There's nothing I can do right now. He just fell and this happens," Ovechkin said.

Ovechkin raced up the ice and from behind drove Campbell into the boards with 7:44 left in the first period.

Campbell stayed down for several minutes before he was able to leave the ice with a trainer at his side and then headed to the locker room. He has an upper-body injury and will not make the Blackhawks upcoming road trip to the West Coast.

Ovechkin was given two game misconducts earlier this season, the first for a shoulder check and the second one for a kneeing incident that eventually led to a two-game suspension.

"The league will do what they do," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville. "[Campbell] is going to be out for a bit here. It was a dangerous hit."

Blackhawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson would like to see Ovechkin penalized. "I hope they take a good look and suspend him for a couple of games," he said.

• Rangers 3, Flyers 1: Sean Avery returned from a one-game benching and scored twice to help host New York earn a key victory against Philadelphia. Avery raised his agitating style to the level coach John Tortorella demanded. He got the Rangers even in the second period and drew three Philadelphia penalties, including two resulting in power plays.

• Wild 4, Blues 2: Josh Harding made 36 saves, and Mikko Koivu had a power-play goal and two assists, propelling Minnesota past visiting St. Louis -- a critical victory for a Wild team trying to climb into the playoff picture.

• Coyotes 3, Thrashers 2: Adrian Aucoin scored the shootout winner and Lee Stempniak had his sixth goal in five games for Phoenix, as the visiting Coyotes beat Atlanta for their fifth win in a row.

• Islanders 4, Maple Leafs 1: Richard Park scored a short-handed goal and added an assist, and Martin Biron made 26 saves to lead host New York past Toronto.

• Avalanche 5, Stars 3: Craig Anderson made 48 saves and Paul Stastny scored twice as visiting Colorado rallied to beat Dallas, dealing another blow to the Stars' playoff chances.

• Predators 3, Kings 2: Patric Hornqvist scored the tiebreaking goal with 3:31 to play and Pekka Rinne made 18 saves as visiting Nashville extended their mastery of Los Angeles.

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