Alex Ovechkin continued his blistering goal-scoring pace against the Montreal Canadiens Thursday night.
The Russian machine scored twice — his third multi-goal game of the season — in the Caps’ 6-4 loss. The Capitals have played 11 times so far.
Goal 1
Ovechkin’s first goal was off a set play by the first line. John Carlson hit Jakub Vrana along the boards, who then dished to Evgeny Kuznetsov racing into the offensive zone. After showing the puck as if he may shoot, Kuznetsov put the puck on his backhand and slid the biscuit to Ovechkin on the other wing. Ovi one-timed the puck home for career goal number 616.
The second-period tally made the game 3-2 Habs.
Goal 2
Ovechkin’s second goal came 6:04 later and gave the Caps a 4-3 lead. After crashing the net, the Russian machine deflected the puck past Carey Price for career goal number 617.
Later in the third period, Ovechkin had a great opportunity for a hat trick but could not convert.
Alex Ovechkin was this close to netting a hat trick pic.twitter.com/dFADaLNdvC
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) November 2, 2018
On another opportunity, Ovi somehow puck-juggled around Jordie Benn but could not get a shot off.
Ovechkin now has 10 goals in the first 11 games of the season. It’s the fourth time Ovi has done so in his career. Last season, Ovechkin opened the season with seven goals in his first two games.
Alex Ovechkin's 2 goals so far tonight give him 10 through his team's first 11 games of a season for the 4th time in his career (had 11 in 2009-10, had 10 in 2013-14 & 2017-18)
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) November 2, 2018
The Great 8 is now tied for third in NHL goals. Patrick Kane and David Pastrnak, the league leaders, both have 11 in 12 games.
Ovechkin has 50 points (28 G, 22 A) in 46 career games versus the Canadiens. Ovi’s 19 regular season goals against Carey Price are the most the former Hart Trophy-winning goaltender has given up versus any single player.
With 2 Goals in the 2nd Period, Alex Ovechkin now has scored 19 Career Regular Season Goals vs Carey Price. That's the most goals allowed by Price vs any single player.
— Matt Casavant (@Mcaz) November 2, 2018
Oh, but there’s more! Ovechkin’s two lamp lighters ties him Hockey Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman for 12th on the multi-goal games list (124).
Alex Ovechkin's pair of goals tonight vs MTL has tied him with Steve Yzerman for the 12th most career multi-goal games by one player in NHL history! (124. Most: 189- Wayne Gretzky)
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) November 2, 2018
Ovechkin also passed Hockey Hall of Famer Stan Mikita for 23rd on the all-time even-strength goals list.
With his 2nd marker tonight for the @Capitals to put them up 4-3 on the Canadiens, Alex Ovechkin has passed Stan Mikita for 23rd all-time in career even strength goals (380)
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) November 2, 2018
While Ovechkin’s goal scoring on Thursday was impressive, his underlying play was much to be desired. Ovi, who was shadowed by Jordie Benn all night long, was on the ice for 11 Caps shot attempts and 26 Habs attempts at five-on-five, putting him under 30 percent for the game.
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