Photo credit: Rob Carr

After Brooks Laich shanked a beautiful slap pass from Karl Alzner in the first period, it didn’t seem like it would be Karl’s night. But the defensive defenseman’s never-ending quest for Assist Number Nine was not over yet.

Alzner brought out his mighty excalibur again in the second period and, lo, he hooked up with Alex Ovechkin for one of the Russian Machine’s more beautiful — and unlikely — goals of the year.

Roust the smallfolk. Sir Karl has unearthed a ruby apple!

Joe B.: “Ovechkin from zero angle, a tremendous shot!”

Mikhail Grabovski threw a behind-the-back pass to the point, where Alzner zipped a short pass right into Ovi’s wheelhouse. Then, straining credulity, the Great Eight blasted it home — despite no angle and Antti Niemi covering pretty much everything.

Look at this ish.

GIFs by Ian Oland

That was Ovechkin’s 33th goal of the season. His one-game goalless streak is now over, to the relief of millions. We can stop stress-eating ice cream for every meal.

Speaking to Rob Carlin during the second intermission, Ovechkin played coy.

Ovechkin on his goal: "Alzy do a great job. Lucky shot, but I'll take it right now"

— Ian Oland (@ianoland) January 15, 2014

Nah, I’m pretty sure that was all skill.