Ovechkin, McMichael each scores twice as Capitals skate to 8-1 victory over the Blues

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Washington’s Alex Ovechkin and Connor McMichael each scored two goals Saturday night, sparking the Capitals to an 8-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues.

Ovechkin has scored 863 goals and is just 31 goals behind Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record 894. Ovechkin has scored goals in six of his last seven games. It also marked the 175th multigoal game of Ovechkin’s 20-year, trailing only Gretzky (189).

Jakob Chychrun, Rasmus Sandin, Michael Sgarbossa and Brandon Duhaime also scored for Washington.

Goaltender Logan Thompson, acquired in an offseason trade with Vegas, is a perfect 7-0-0 on the season. He recorded 24 saves.

Scott Perunovich scored the lone St. Louis goal. Jordan Binnington faced 27 shots for the Blues.

Capitals: McMichael has points in three consecutive games and six of his last seven outings overall. McMichael scored 59 seconds into the game and added a power-play in the third period.

Blues: Perunovich scored his first career goal on a wrist shot from the slot at 7:07. It was his first goal in 79 games.

In the second period, St. Louis outshot Washington 11-4 but was outscored 2-0. Ovechkin scored his ninth goal of the season at 7:42. Washington then went up 3-1 when Chychrun scored from the top of the slot at 10:53.

The Blues power play woes continued. St. Louis went 0 for 3 in the game. They are 0 for 13 in their last five games on the power play. The Blues have been on the power play 37 times in 15 games and have scored just four times.

The Blues end a five-game homestand Tuesday against Boston. The Capitals will host the Maple Leafs on Wednesday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL

St. Louis Blues' Zack Bolduc is unable to score past Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson, right, during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Scott Perunovich (48) skates past Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson (48) after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Pierre-Olivier Joseph (77) handles the puck as Washington Capitals' Brandon Duhaime (22) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Washington Capitals' Connor McMichael (24) handles the puck as St. Louis Blues' Scott Perunovich (48) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin, left, is congratulated by teammates after scoring during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Alexey Toropchenko (13) and Washington Capitals' John Carlson battle for a loose puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Washington Capitals' Nic Dowd (26) and St. Louis Blues' Matthew Kessel battle for a loose puck along the boards during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Justin Faulk (72) shoots past Washington Capitals' Nic Dowd (26) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Washington Capitals' Rasmus Sandin, right, celebrates after scoring as St. Louis Blues' Pierre-Olivier Joseph skates in the background during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Blues' Brandon Saad (20) controls the puck as Blues' Dylan Holloway (81) and Washington Capitals' Rasmus Sandin (38) watch during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Washington Capitals' Alex Ovechkin, center, is congratulated by teammates Dylan Strome and Tom Wilson (43) after scoring during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the St. Louis Blues Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

BUNIA, Congo (AP) — There were no kisses, long embraces or a crowded dance floor packed with well-wishers. But there was love.

As Congo is battling an Ebola disease outbreak that has killed nearly 100 people out of the more than 500 confirmed cases, local authorities have raced to slow the disease with strict measures, including by limiting public gatherings and enforcing social distancing.

For Jean Claude Érable and his bride Solange Hahati, celebrating their wedding on Saturday in such conditions meant having some family members and friends absent on one of their happiest days.

“We had planned 300 guests (but) only 50 people were allowed to enter,” Hahati told The Associated Press. “It was really difficult because we wanted to celebrate with our friends.”

The latest Ebola disease outbreak, caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, is concentrated in Congo’s eastern province of Ituri. There are 515 confirmed infections, including 91 deaths, according to Congolese health authorities. The number of cases is believed to be higher because the outbreak was confirmed weeks late, and response has been challenging also because the virus has no approved vaccine or treatment.

To help slow the spread, local officials have urged people to limit physical contact, wash their hands regularly and report suspected cases quickly.

At the Catholic Church in Bunia, the capital of Ituri, where Érable and Hahati celebrated their love story, the Mass featured a number of couples who were present for their weddings.

The precautions, though not always adhered to, are reshaping social life in a country where weddings are typically vibrant, daylong celebrations bringing together hundreds of relatives, friends and well-wishers.

As the choir chorused and as brides in white gowns walked down the aisle, the handful of relatives and friends present inside the church maintained social distance, cheered and snapped photos. Outside, a crowd sang excitedly.

“We are adhering to the preventive measures and respecting social distancing,” said Érable, the groom. “I must say that there is no problem, no obstacle, because we are doing our best to respect all the measures dictated by the state.”

His bride smiled as he slipped a wedding ring onto her finger. Outside, after the wedding Mass, she gleefully displayed the ring as her husband walked her to the car.

The couple moved part of their reception outdoors, where guests could spread out more easily.

Church leaders say adapting has become essential.

Some families have already postponed their scheduled weddings in light of the new health measures, said the Rev. Aimé Lokanabego, the priest who officiated their wedding Mass.

The church is not holding other religious events that involve higher risks of exposure, such as baptism, he said.

“This is, in a way, how we are dealing with this Ebola epidemic at our level. The situation is critical,” said Lokanabego.

Wedding guests cheer at a wedding ceremony amid an Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province in Bunia, Congo, Saturday, June 6, 2026. 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa)

Altar boys arrive at a chapel during a wedding ceremony amid an Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province in Bunia, Congo, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa)

A newly married couple walks down the aisle at their wedding as guests shower them with confetti amid an Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province in Bunia, Congo, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa)

A bride puts a ring on the groom's finger during a wedding ceremony amid an Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province in Bunia, Congo, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa)

A newly married couple walks down the aisle at their wedding amid an Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province in Bunia, Congo, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa)