ANDREI SVECHNIKOV scored twice, including the game-winning goal late in the third period, to lead the Carolina Hurricanes to a 4-2 victory over the Washington Capitals Tuesday night in Raleigh, North Carolina. The win extended Carolina’s current winning streak to six games.

The reigning Stanley Cup champions improved their record to 6-2-0 and remain atop the Metropolitan Division with 13 points, one point ahead of the New York Rangers. Goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov made 20 saves and improved his personal record to 4-0-0 for the season.

The Capitals struck first when Boone Jenner, one of Washington’s recent top free agent acquisitions, scored at 9:26 of the first period. Jenner, who has now scored in three consecutive games, provided Washington with an early lead. However, Svechnikov equalized for Carolina 3:58 into the second period by knocking in a rebound off William Carrier’s shot.

Washington regained the lead at 2-1 with Justin Holl’s goal from the right circle at 6:39 in the second period. Holl was making his Capitals debut after being recalled from the Hershey Bears earlier Monday. Carolina responded late in the period when Eric Robinson’s pass deflected off a Washington defender’s stick and past goaltender Logan Thompson to tie the game 2-2 with just over a minute left on the clock.

Svechnikov’s second goal came six seconds into a power play after Justin Sourdif was penalized for tripping. The backhanded finish gave the Hurricanes a 3-2 lead, which they later extended with a fourth goal from Mark Jankowski.

Despite finishing 1-for-5 on the power play, Carolina’s offensive efforts proved enough to overcome Washington. Meanwhile, Logan Thompson recorded 31 saves in the losing effort.

Tuesday’s game also marked the Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin’s final scheduled appearance in Raleigh. The 41-year-old veteran received a standing ovation from the home crowd early in the first period. Ovechkin, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2004 NHL draft held in Raleigh, has accumulated 59 points in 49 regular-season games at the arena, the most he has recorded at any venue other than the Capitals’ home at Capital One Arena. Ovechkin remains scoreless in this game and the last visit to Raleigh before his anticipated retirement at the end of the current season.

The Hurricanes played without their captain Jordan Staal, the reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner, who is expected to miss up to two months due to a torn calf muscle.

Carolina will look to continue their strong start as they maintain their position atop the division standings, while Washington seeks to rebound in their upcoming home matchup against the Montreal Canadiens.