On December 8, Steve Oleksy scored his first goal in 273 days, after seven games as a healthy scratch. Now, 25 days later, he’s got another, a game-tying tally against the Carolina Hurricanes. It was a typical Oleksy goal: seemingly accidental.

“It’s a good feeling when you don’t get many,” Oleksy told me after the game. “That’s the way it goes. Especially at this level I’m not really known for the goal scoring touch from the blueline. You go through spells where you don’t pop any in. It’s important that you’re getting looks. I’ve had some good looks over the last couple games. It’s nice to finally have some go in.”

Oleksy’s third career tally came in a torrent of scoring early in the second: five goals in 3:45. Wrapping around the net, Oleksy fired a puck to the net, looking for a deflection or rebound. Instead, his shot trickled past Canes goalie Anton Khudobin.

“You throw it at the net and good things will happen,” Oleksy said. “I don’t think I’ve ever been a part of goals that quick except in summer hockey.”

After his goal, Steve O shared a moment with assistant coach Calle Johansson on the Capitals bench.

“We were talking about the couple quick goals there in the second period,” Oleksy said. “We were on for a goal against and then we were on for a goal for and then the next shift. Hockey’s a crazy game.”

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