Alex Ovechkin turned the third participant in NHL historical past to attain 20 objectives in 19 consecutive seasons on Monday.
The veteran Washington ahead scored two power-play objectives within the second interval to steer the Capitals to a 5-2 victory over the Calgary Flames.
“Consistency. Not simply from the scoring half but additionally him being within the lineup and being sturdy and him having the ability to play recreation after recreation after recreation all these years,” mentioned Washington coach Spencer Carbery.
“We wanted each single little bit of these two objectives tonight to get us in entrance and to have the ability to play from in entrance since you might inform early on we had zero legs and mentally a few of the puck choices, performs, it was uncharacteristic.”
Washington Capitals ahead Alex Ovechkin (8) scores on Calgary Flames goalie Dustin Wolf (32) throughout second interval NHL hockey motion in Calgary, Alta., Monday, March 18, 2024.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Gordie Howe (22 straight seasons) and Brendan Shanahan (19 straight seasons) are the one others to attain the spectacular scoring feat.
“There’s not many issues that hasn’t been mentioned about him, however he retains doing it, even at age 38. It’s enjoyable to be part of, enjoyable to look at,” mentioned Dylan Strome, who scored the opening objective.
Ovechkin’s twentieth objective made it 2-0 at 5:58 of the second. Ovechkin went to the online the place he neatly deflected in a tough centring go from Max Pacioretty. After pumping his arms in celebration, Ovechkin instantly appeared over at his teammate and pointed, acknowledging the terrific go.
Simply over three minutes later, Washington’s red-hot energy play struck once more, this time it was classic Ovechkin. Arrange on the prime of the faceoff circle, stick cocked. When John Carlson slid a go throughout, Ovechkin leaned right into a one-time slapper that went off the stick of Rasmus Andersson and previous rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf.
“That’s a hell of a hockey participant over there. He had a few good probabilities. Nevertheless it’s fairly cool to say you stopped a number of,” mentioned Wolf.
The e-mail you want for the day’s
prime information tales from Canada and world wide.
The e-mail you want for the day’s
prime information tales from Canada and world wide.
Ovechkin has 12 objectives in 20 video games for the reason that NHL all-star break after scoring simply 9 occasions in 44 video games earlier than that.
As much as 843 objectives for his profession, second all time, Ovechkin is now 51 behind Wayne Gretzky’s file.
“We’re all cheering for him,” mentioned Hendrix Lapierre, who additionally had a objective for the guests. “It was two actually massive objectives tonight, too. We’re simply tremendous joyful for him and we’re simply making an attempt to assist him on this chase. He’s trying fairly rattling good. He was the spark we wanted tonight.”
Washington Capitals ahead Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates his objective throughout second interval NHL hockey motion towards the Calgary Flames in Calgary, Alta., Monday, March 18, 2024.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Tom Wilson (empty-netter) additionally scored for Washington (33-25-9). The Capitals, with their third straight win, moved into the second wild-card berth within the Japanese Convention, one level up on the idle Detroit Purple Wings.
“We all know it’s not going to be simple. We maintain preventing, maintain taking part in,” mentioned Ovechkin. “We nonetheless can do it. We’re nonetheless within the battle. Each level counts.”
It’s the primary time the Capitals have occupied a playoff spot since Jan. 2.
Kevin Rooney and MacKenzie Weegar scored for Calgary (33-30-5). The Flames completed 2-2-0 on their four-game residence stand.
“Particular groups acquired beat tonight and also you noticed that on the scoreboard,” mentioned Rooney, whose objective was his first in 17 video games. “We’ve acquired a recreation plan in place and we’ve simply acquired to execute it. It’s on the penalty kill guys should do a greater job, myself proper up there.”
Washington went 2-for-3 with the person benefit whereas Calgary was 0-for-3.
“I don’t suppose we did a adequate job particular team-wise. For me, that was the distinction within the recreation,” mentioned Calgary coach Ryan Huska. “Each our energy play in not producing something for us, but additionally giving them momentum, and our penalty kill did that, too.”
Washington goalie Charlie Lindgren continued his sharp play of late making 34 stops to enhance to 18-11-5. Lindgren has gained 5 of his final six whereas fashioning a .956 save share.
After permitting three objectives on 67 pictures in profitable his earlier two outings, Wolf’s third consecutive begin didn’t go in addition to the rookie allowed 4 objectives on 32 pictures. His file falls to 3-4-1.
The Capitals have been aided of their playoff chase by a rejuvenated energy play. On Jan. 18, Washington was third-worst within the league on the person benefit at 13.3 per cent. Over the previous two months, it’s been third-best at 29.1 per cent.
Ovi, oh my
Dealing with Dustin Wolf for the primary time, Ovechkin has objectives towards 174 completely different goalies, which is third behind Jaromir Jagr (178) and Patrick Marleau (177). He has multi-goal video games towards 94 completely different goalies, which is essentially the most in historical past. Gretzky (89) ranks second.
Markstrom mending
Jacob Markstrom (decrease physique) is again skating and coach Huska mentioned he might return to motion as quickly as this weekend. The veteran Flames goaltender has missed the final 5 video games.
Up subsequent
Capitals: Open a four-game residence stand on Wednesday towards the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Flames: Go to the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
