WASHINGTON — Nicklas Backstrom had two goals and three assists and T.J. Oshie enjoyed a four-point game as the host Capitals broke out of a recent funk to rout the rival Penguins, 7-1, on Wednesday night.

Oshie had two goals and two assists, and Alex Ovechkin, Dmitry Orlov and Justin Williams also scored for Washington, which had lost three of four. Braden Holtby stopped 25 of the 26 shots he faced, allowing only a late goal to Phil Kessel.

Pittsburgh lost Stanley Cup-winning goalie Matt Murray late in the first period when teammate Evgeni Malkin accidentally hit him in the head. Murray allowed two goals on 14 shots before leaving, and Marc-Andre Fleury gave up five goals on 25 shots in relief.

Ovechkin left the ice briefly in the second period holding his right wrist, but returned a few minutes later and picked up his first point in five games.

The Penguins didn't help themselves by taking 10 penalties, most notably Malkin's double-minor for roughing in the scrum that injured Murray. AP