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Evgeny Kuznetsov scored twice, Alex Ovechkin had a goal and an assist and the Capitals beat the host Devils, 5-2, on Thursday night to head into the All-Star break with the most points in the NHL.
Ovechkin's goal was his 548th, tying him with Michel Goulet for 28th on the NHL's career list.
Andre Burakovsky and Lars Eller also scored for Washington, which has 72 points in 49 games as it seeks its second straight Presidents' Trophy. Defenseman Dmitry Orlov added two assists and Braden Holtby made 27 saves for the Capitals, who are 13-1-2 in their past 16 games.
Stefan Noesen and Adam Henrique scored for New Jersey, which has lost six straight at home. The Devils are tied with the Red Wings for the fewest points in the Eastern Conference.
Capitals right wing T.J. Oshie missed the game for personal reasons. Jay Beagle replaced him, skating on the line with Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom.
Washington right wing Tom Wilson got a game misconduct in the third period for being the third man during a fight between Kyle Palmieri of the Devils and Brooks Orpik of the Capitals.
Et cetera
Orioles lose A. Walker on waivers to Braves
The Orioles lost slugging outfielder Adam Walker on waivers Thursday to the Atlanta Braves after designating him for assignment last Friday when they signed outfielder-designated hitter Mark Trumbo to a three-year contract. The Braves are Walker's fourth organization this offseason. Walker, a second-round draft pick of the Minnesota Twins in 2013, had 110 home runs in four full minor league seasons but also struck out often. Minnesota designated him for assignment in November, and the Milwaukee Brewers claimed him for a stint that lasted just two weeks before he was designated for assignment again. The Orioles claimed him Dec. 2, but their offseason business brought the roster to its 40-man limit when Trumbo agreed, and Walker was the odd man out.
— Jon Meoli
Nationals: Stephen Drew has signed a one-year deal to return to Washington, a person with knowledge of the situation said. The contract includes a base salary worth $3.5 million — half a million more than he made in his first season with the Nationals — plus incentives. Drew, 33, will return as a utility infielder and provide left-handed pop off the bench after a resurgent 2016 season. He hit .266 with an .864 on-base-plus-slugging percentage after batting .201 with a .652 OPS in 131 games with the New York Yankees the previous year.
— Jorge Castillo and Chelsea Janes, The Washington Post
NBA: Wizards point guard John Wall was selected as an Eastern Conference All-Star on Thursday for the fourth consecutive year. Wall is averaging a career-best 23.1 points per game, to go along with 10.1 assists. He has 26 double doubles, more than twice the total of any other guard in the conference. (The Celtics' Avery Bradley and Pacers' Jeff Teague have nine.) Wall leads the conference with 25 games of 10 or more assists; only Most Valuable Player candidates James Harden (39) of the Rockets and Russell Westbrook (28) of the Thunder, both in the Western Conference, have more. Wall has also a steal in 33 straight games — the longest such streak of his seven-year career.
More baseball: The Cincinnati Reds agreed to a one-year contract with former Orioles right-hander Scott Feldman. ... The Colorado Rockies named former Orioles outfielder Mike Devereaux coach of Short-A Boise and former Orioles reliever Doug Jones pitching coach at Rookie-level Grand Junction.
Arena Football League: The Washington Valor signed Tracy Belton, the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year. Belton, 32, spent last season with the Philadelphia Soul and led the league in interceptions, finishing with nine for 129 yards and three defensive touchdowns. He had 90 tackles, 20 pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. The Valor also signed veteran offensive lineman Anthony Parker and rookie offensive lineman Keyon Haughton, who attended Kansas.
Flag football: The Maryland Ravens age 13-14 team will represent the Baltimore Ravens and compete in the NFL Flag Championships today and Saturday at ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, Fla., as part of the NFL's Pro Bowl week.
College football: Nonconference games against Maryland and Morgan State highlight the 2017 Towson schedule, which was announced Thursday. The Tigers will open the season Sept. 2 at home against the Bears before playing at the Terps on Sept. 9. After a game at Saint Francis on Sept. 16, Towson will start its Colonial Athletic Association season at Stony Brook on Sept. 23. For the full schedule, see Scoreboard.
College baseball: Maryland was picked to win the Big Ten by D1Baseball.com and Perfect Game. Junior shortstop Kevin Smith is each outlet's preseason Big Ten Player of the Year.
Men's college basketball: The Navy alumni game will be Saturday at 12:15 p.m. at Alumni Hall.
Men's college lacrosse: Denver senior attackman Connor Cannizzaro, who began his career at Maryland, is the Big East Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. ... Salisbury, the Division III defending national champion, is ranked first in the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association preseason poll. The Sea Gulls received 280 points, including all 14 first-place votes. Tufts (249) is second and RIT (243) third. Stevenson (112) is 12th.
Women's college lacrosse: Florida senior attacker Sammi Burgess (McDonogh) was named Big East preseason Co-Offensive Player of the Year. ... Junior attacker Eve Lukowski (Mount de Sales) was named a co-captain at Bucknell.