Photo credit: Geoff Burke

When the Washington Capitals played Tampa on Friday, the Lightning — after getting burned by the NHL’s reigning MVP for four goals the game before — tried to smother Alex Ovechkin and force him to give up the puck. This strategy failed when Eric Fehr scored twice and Marcus Johansson was left unguarded in front of the net for a gimme goal.

On Friday, the Leafs decided not to cover Ovechkin. At all. This strategy also did not work.

Watch Ovechkin step on the ice and skate unguarded into the zone at the top left of the frame.

The ice time report says Ovi was on the ice for seven seconds before that goal. Looks more like two, which is two more seconds than Randy Caryle should’ve left him alone.

Ovechkin also tallied a secondary assist on Joel Ward’s game-winner.

The Russian machine is now on pace for 60 goals on the season. Somehow that is still good enough for me.

You know you’re having one hell of a season when a local NBC sports anchor blacks her tooth out to salute your play.

Carol Maloney on NBC4's sports report tonight. Rocking the @ovi8 look! @russianmachine pic.twitter.com/71xhMMwQPY

— Rachel L. Cohen @ sporps hell (@kat326) January 11, 2014