NHL: Philadelphia 6, Washington 5 (OT)

Mike Richards posted his second career hat trick for the Flyers, who have won the first three games in a season for the first time since 1998-99.

Matt Carle had four assists, Scott Hartnell made the game-tying score late in regulation and Ray Emery made 31 stops for Philadelphia.

Alexander Semin and Alex Ovechkin each scored two goals for the Capitals, who failed in their bid to start a season with three consecutive wins for the second time in three years.

Jose Theodore played nearly 30 minutes and suffered the loss after allowing two goals on 16 shots.

Starter Semyon Varlamov was pulled midway through the second period after yielding four goals on 25 shots.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International.