NHL Daily Power Play Recap 11/20/15: Ducks defeat Panthers, 3-1

For the latest NHL news, check out The DSH's Daily Power Play Recap below:

OVECHKIN BECOMES TOP RUSSIAN-BORN GOAL-SCORER IN NHL HISTORY

Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin scored his 484th career goal (777 GP) to pass Sergei Fedorov (483 G in 1,248 GP) for most goals by a Russian-born player in NHL history.

“Obviously it was loud," said Ovechkin.  "They cheered for me since day one so it was a great moment. My dad is always there. My mom was there, my brother, my fiancé and her parents, so that was a special moment for me.”

Nicklas Backstrom (1-1—2) assisted on Ovechkin’s milestone goal. Coincidentally, Backstrom also earned an assist on Fedorov’s goal that broke Alexander Mogilny’s NHL record for career goals by a Russian-born player when they skated together for the Capitals on Oct. 24, 2008 at Dallas.

"What he has accomplished thus far in his career has been nothing short of remarkable," said Federov.  "I had a great opportunity to play with Alex in Washington and have seen first-hand the respect, passion and enthusiasm he has not only for the game of hockey but for his country as well."

Earlier this season, Ovechkin (484-428—912) also became the fourth Russian-born player to record 900 NHL points, following Fedorov (483-696—1,179), Mogilny (473-559—1,032) and Alex Kovalev (430-599—1,029).

MOST CAREER NHL GOALS BY COUNTRY OF BIRTH:

Wayne Gretzky (Canada) – 894
Jaromir Jagr (Czech Republic) – 729
Teemu Selanne (Finland) – 684
Mats Sundin (Sweden) – 564
Mike Modano (United States) – 561
Alex Ovechkin (Russia) – 484

DUCKS BEAT FLORIDA, 3-1

Frederik Andersen made 24 saves and Andrew Cogliano’s first shorthanded goal of the season stood as the game-winner in Anaheim’s 3-1 victory over Florida. The Ducks improved to 6-2-2 in their last 10 games following a 1-7-2 start to the season.

LIGHTNING SNAP RANGERS NINE-GAME WINNING STREAK

Valtteri Filppula (1-1—2) scored the game-winning goal while shorthanded with 1:05 left in regulation as the Lightning snapped New York’s nine-game winning streak in the first meeting between both clubs since the 2015 Eastern Conference Final (4-3 TBL series win).

Per Elias, Filppula’s game-winning marker was the latest tiebreaking shorthanded goal in regulation time since Nov. 12, 2005, when Mike Knuble (PHI) did so against Florida at the 19:56 mark of the third period.

Ben Bishop made 20 saves – including stopping Chris Kreider on a third-period penalty shot attempt – to improve to 9-0-0 in nine career regular-season appearances vs. NYR (1.43 GAA, .947 SV%, 2 SO).

The Lightning improved to 5-0-0 in their last five regular-season games vs. NYR dating to Jan. 14, 2014 (NYR: 0-5-0).

STARS CONTINUE FRANCHISE-BEST START

Jason Spezza scored the go-ahead goal at 11:10 of the third period as the Stars edged the Capitals to pick up their fourth consecutive victory overall and fifth straight win on the road.

At 16-4-0 (32 points), the Stars are off to their best 20-game start to a season – in terms of wins and points – in the franchise’s 48-year history. Their 16 victories and 32 points lead the League.

The Stars also improved to 9-2-0 (18 points) in their first 11 games as visitors. They pace the NHL in road wins and road points.

Kari Lehtonen (33 saves) earned his sixth straight win, improving to 9-1-0 overall this season (2.34 GAA, .923 SV%). According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the only other time in franchise history that a goaltender won at least nine of his first ten games in one season was when Lehtonen did so in 2011-12 (also 9-1-0).

Lehtonen also improved to 16-6-2 in 24 career appearances vs. WSH (2.56 GAA, .924 SV%, 2 SO), including seven straight wins.

Tyler Seguin scored for Dallas and now trails CHI’s Patrick Kane (13-17—30) by two points for the League-lead with 11-17—28 in his first 20 games. Per Elias, he is the first member of the Stars/North Stars to record 28 or more points in the first 20 games of a season since Dino Ciccarelli (24-15—39) in 1986-87.

John Klingberg (0-2—2) leads all blueliners in assists and points with 4-18—22 in his first 20 games of the season. Per Elias, he is the first defenseman in franchise history to record 22 points in the first 20 games of a season.

THURSDAY’S NHL RESULTS (Home Team in Caps)

BOSTON 4, Minnesota 2
San Jose 1, PHILADELPHIA 0 (OT)
PITTSBURGH 4, Colorado 3
Dallas 3, WASHINGTON 2
Arizona 3, MONTREAL 2
OTTAWA 3, Columbus 0
TAMPA BAY 2, NY Rangers 1
Anaheim 3, FLORIDA 1
ST. LOUIS 3, Buffalo 2 (SO)

FRIDAY’S NHL ACTION (All Times Eastern)

Toronto @ Carolina, 7:00 p.m., SNO, FS-CR
Nashville @ Columbus, 7:00 p.m., FS-TN, FS-O
Los Angeles @ Detroit, 7:30 p.m., FS-W, FS-D+
Montreal @ NY Islanders, 7:30 p.m., RDS, SNE, MSG+
Chicago @ Calgary, 9:00 p.m., CSN-CH, SNW
New Jersey @ Edmonton, 9:00 p.m., MSG+ 2, SNOL

By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services