Alex Ovechkin made his grand return on Thursday after he served a one-game suspension for skipping the All-Star Game. Ovechkin, in Great 8 form, scored the game-winning goal because of course he did.
TJ Oshie reverses the puck in the corner, and Nicklas Backstrom picks it up from his office. Backstrom puts a perfect pass into Ovi’s wheelhouse at the top of the slot. The Russian machine one-times the puck past Jaroslav Halak‘s stick side.
It’s the 86th game-winning goal of Ovechkin’s career.
#Caps Alex Ovechkin now has 9 game-winning-goals vs. #Islanders– his highest total versus any opponent (cc @ehornick) #NYI @washcaps
— Ben Raby (@BenRaby31) February 5, 2016
The game-winning goal is emblematic of the team’s attitude this season. “It’s our mentality,” Ovechkin said after the game. “We lost one and we have to bounce back. We have an experienced group of guys here and have good leadership here. We can’t lose two in a row.”
The Capitals have lost two games in a row twice this season: at the beginning of January and coming back from the All-Star break.
Ovi’s GWG is also his 504th career goal, which pushes him past former Capital Peter Bondra for 40th all-time. Ovechkin is 30 years old.
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