This game was never close. Especially not that four minutes and 29 seconds of the second period in which Alexander Semin scored three goals for the Capitals, continuing their Southeast Division superiority.
The Capitals dominated the entire contest, with John Carlson kicking off the scoring early in the first period. The Capitals also received goal scoring contributions from two other defenders: John Erskine and Tom Poti. Rookie Marcus Johansson earned his first two assists in the NHL, and defenseman Brian Fahey, recalled from Hershey for this game, earned his first career NHL assist on Erskine's goal.
In his second straight start since returning from injury, Washington goaltender Semyon Varlamov stopped all 17 shots that he faced.
But the true story tonight was Semin, who showed why his name should have been included on the All-Star ballot ahead of Steven Stamkos of the Lightning. Two of Semin's goals came on power plays, with Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin earning assists on each.
Semin now has three hat tricks this season, which happens to be more than any other player in the NHL.