RALEIGH: The Washington Capitals don’t want to rely exclusively on their power play for offense, but every once in a while it’s not such a bad thing.

The Capitals recorded three power-play goals in the second period Friday night to surge past the Carolina Hurricanes for a 4-2 win at PNC Arena, a victory made even more special when Alex Ovechkin sealed it with an empty-net tally for his 400th goal with 24.5 seconds remaining.

Ovechkin became the 89th player in NHL history to reach the 400-goal plateau and is the sixth fastest to do so, accomplishing the feat in 634 games (one game earlier than Pavel Bure).

Only Wayne Gretzky (436), Mike Bossy (506), Mario Lemieux (508), Brett Hull (520) and Jari Kurri (608) reached it faster.

“It’s big number and being in this kind of company, it’s a tremendous honor for me,” Ovechkin said. “I never felt like I’m going to be in this position when I start playing in NHL. Of course I wanted to be, but thanks to everybody — my coaches, my partners. Without them, I can’t reach these numbers.” Washington improved to 7-2-1 in its past 10 games with the win over the Hurricanes and is 5-1-1 in its past seven. Marcus Johansson, John Carlson and Troy Brouwer all scored on the man advantage as the Capitals overcame a rough start, thanks largely to their rookie netminder. Philipp Grubauer had another strong performance, making 39 saves for his fourth win of the season. The 22-year-old remained undefeated in regulation as he out-dueled Carolina’s Cam Ward, who finished with 25 saves.

Islanders 5, Rangers 3: Left winger Thomas Vanek’s power-play goal 1:18 into the third period powered the New York Islanders to a 5-3 win over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.

Right winger Michael Grabner scored twice and right winger Cal Clutterbuck and defenseman Brian Strait also scored for the Islanders, who improved to 10-19-7. Evgeni Nabokov made 21 saves.

The Rangers fell to 16-18-2, despite receiving goals from left winger Benoit Pouliot, right winger Derek Dorsett and center Derek Stepan. Henrik Lundqvist finished with 15 saves.

On a 5-on-3 power play to start the third due to Rangers right winger Chris Kreider and defenseman Dan Girardi in the box for interference, Vanek deftly tipped right winger Kyle Okposo’s centering feed from the point under Lundqvist for what turned out to be the game-winning goal.

Ducks 3, Devils 2 (OT): Right wing Kyle Palmieri scored with 2:23 remaining in overtime to give the Anaheim Ducks a 3-2 victory against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center.

Palmieri’s fifth of the season was the result of an explosive move down the right wing that led to a wraparound attempt that rode up the stick of Devils defenseman Jon Merrill and into the top of the net.

The Ducks have now won seven in a row, the longest current winning streak in the NHL.

The regulation goals were scored by defenseman Cam Fowler and center Mathieu Perreault of the Ducks and right wing Michael Ryder and defenseman Andy Greene of the Devils.

Jets 5, Panthers 2: The Winnipeg Jets halted a six-game winless skid at home with a 5-2 victory over the Florida Panthers.

Five different players scored for the Jets (16-16-5), who had not won at the MTS Center since a shootout decision over the Philadelphia Flyers on Nov. 15.

Right-wingers Michael Frolik and Blake Wheeler, left-winger Evander Kane and blueliners Jacob Trouba and Tobias Enstrom potted goals for Winnipeg, now 8-8-4 in its own building this season.

Centers Shawn Matthias and Nick Bjugstad replied for the Panthers, who trailed 3-1 and 5-2 at the period breaks.

Canucks 3, Blackhawks 2 (SO): It took eight tries in the shootout, but the Vancouver Canucks finally came out on top, defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 at the United Center.

Center Ryan Kessler scored the deciding tally to help the Canucks break a two-game losing streak while also snapping Chicago’s two-game winning streak.

Center Mike Santorelli scored the first goal of the shootout for the Canucks (21-11-6), followed by misses by left winger Daniel Sedin, center Henrik Sedin, right winger Zack Kassian, defenseman Yannick Weber, left winger David Booth and center Zac Dalpe before Kesler’s game-winner.

Chicago (25-7-6) managed just one goal in the shootout, coming from forward Patrick Sharp. Missing for the Blackhawks were right winger Patrick Kane, center Jonathan Toews, right winger Marian Hossa, left winger Brandon Saad, right winger Ben Smith, right winger Kris Versteeg and center Michal Handzus.