The tiny gloomy stormcloud we call the Washington Capitals gave the Sharks an early goal just twelve seconds into the game, but a power-play goal from Alex Ovechkin tied the game and gave the Caps a new lease on life.
Goal 1
The Caps took to the power play as Tim Heed got whistled for hooking. The ice-cold PP finally warmed up as Martin Jones kicked a rebound into the slot. A mad scramble ensued, with Alex Ovechkin earning his 34th goal of the season with a quick backhand/forehand move at the goal mouth.
There was hugging. There were fist pumps.
With the goal, Ovechkin reaches 641 in his career to take sole ownership of 14th place all-time, one more than Dave Andreychuk. Ovi did it in 587 fewer career games than Andreychuk (1052 vs 1639).
Ovechkin also passes Andreychuk for the 3rd most career goals among players whose primary position was left wing, as he's closing in on Luc Robitaille (668) & Brendan Shanahan (656) https://t.co/StrcQ1W1Lj
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) January 23, 2019
Assist 1
Before the first period was over, Ovechkin would tally his second point of the night with a sensational assist on a TJ Oshie goal.
Goal 2
Ovechkin would then add his 35th goal of the season in the second period. After taking a drop pass from Nicklas Backstrom, Ovi ripped a shot past Martin Jones.
Goal 3
Ovechkin would add a hat trick goal in the third period.
The Russian machine leads the Capitals with 56 points (36g, 21a) in 49 games.
Here are a few fun Ovi factoids from the evening.
Scoring twice for the @Capitals tonight, Alex Ovechkin ties for the 4th most 35+ goal seasons in NHL history (11). Only 3 have had more by age 33 though: Wayne Gretzky (13), Mike Gartner (13), Marcel Dionne (12)
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) January 23, 2019
Including playoffs, tonight is the 136th career multi-goal game for @Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin. That ties Teemu Selanne for the most among all NHL players… since 1992-93!
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) January 23, 2019
According to NBC Sports Washington, Tuesday marked Ovechkin’s 105th career three-point game.
