A thumbs up from Kirilenko is more lucky than a swimming pool full of horseshoes and four-leaf clovers. (Photo credit: @mkirilenko)

Photo credit: Patrick McDermott

That washed-up Russian, Alex Ovechkin, has scored 17 goals in his last 15 games. During that span, the Washington Capitals are an astounding 12-2-1, which has taken them from the cellar of the Eastern Conference to the top of the Southeast Division. I guess we really did forget to flush. The goals have made Ovechkin a MVP candidate again for the first time in years and literally the happiest guy on the planet.

Saturday night against the Lightning, Ovechkin punctuated a huge first period for the Caps with a beautiful semi-breakaway goal. As the Lightning prepared for Ovi to shoot from the circles, the Great Eight surprised everybody on the ice and went to his backhand, beating Ben Bishop to the right post. It would be Washington’s third goal of the period and the team’s 20th shot.

Let’s just forget about the two periods after that.

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The goal, which was reminiscent of Ovi’s game-winning overtime tally against the Islanders in 2011, was his 27th of the season. Ovechkin is now the NHL’s league leader in goals once again. And this time his reign will last more than an hour.

Maria, please keep coming to all the games.

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GIFs by welshhockeyfan