Three-goal second period powers Sharks past Capitals

Zack Ostapchuk, Collin Graf and Pavol Regenda scored within a three-minute stretch in the second period, leading the San Jose Sharks to a 3-2 road victory over the Washington Capitals on Thursday.

Graf and Regenda each finished with a goal and an assist and Alex Nedeljkovic made 21 saves to help the Sharks earn their seventh win over their past nine games.

Dylan Strome and Ryan Leonard tallied for the Capitals, who have alternated losses and wins over the past seven games. Logan Thompson stopped 23 shots.

The Sharks trailed 1-0 before their three-goal binge.

Ostapchuk got a lucky bounce at 13:27 of the second period. A collision behind the Capitals' net forced the puck out front, and the 22-year-old took advantage to knot up the contest at 1-1.

Graf gave the Sharks the lead at 14:53 as he chipped a pass from Regenda over Thompson's shoulder.

San Jose pushed the lead to 3-1 at 16:13. Macklin Celebrini won a puck battle behind the net and made a beautiful pass through his legs to a wide-open Regenda, who put it over Thompson's glove and into the back of the net for the eventual game-winner.

Leonard scored a highlight-reel goal at 9:11 of the third to make it a one-goal game. He picked up the puck near the blue line and cut past San Jose forward Ryan Reaves before sending his shot into the top shelf.

Nedeljkovic was forced to be sharp early as he stretched his body across the crease to keep out Anthony Beauvillier's in-close attempt in the opening minute.

Thompson held his own in the scoreless opening frame as he made a pair of saves on Celebrini, including a shoulder stop to deny the youngster's one-timed slap shot with just under three minutes left in the first.

Strome finally broke the deadlock, netting a power-play marker at 10:58 of the second period. He found the puck on his stick and an open cage in front of him after a lively bounce off the boards.