Ovechkin unselfishly fed Protas for a late empty-net goal to complete the hat trick, but the big forward’s first two goals were big ones. The first one tied the game late in the first period, and the second one came 31 seconds after Anaheim tied the game at 4-4 early in the third period.

The Washington Capitals defeated the Anaheim Ducks 7-4, with Aliaksei Protas scoring his first NHL hat trick. WASHINGTON — The Washington Capitals secured a 7-4 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night,