Alex Ovechkin hasn’t scored in a season-high five-straight games, but NBC remains undaunted.
The media juggernaut will air the Capitals-Canadiens game on national TV again tonight as it hopes to capture Alex Ovechkin’s 700th goal live.
Ovechkin still currently sits at 698 goals and has been stuck there since February 4 – a span of 16 days.
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No milestone for Ovi tonight but 700 is still in sight!
We'll bring you Canadiens vs. Caps on NBCSN as Ovi's Chase for 700 continues 🔥 pic.twitter.com/4EkkidkYSu
— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) February 18, 2020
General manager Brian MacLellan believes the Capitals are just trying too dang hard and it’s affecting their game.
“From observing, everybody wants him to get it and they are trying hard for him to get it,” MacLellan said. “I think we would benefit from just playing our game and it’s going to happen organically and it’ll just take care of itself. But you’d have to ask [Ovi] that specifically if (all the attention is) affecting him. But I think if we play the right way, it’ll happen sooner than later.”
Tonight’s game will be aired locally on NBC Sports Washington. NBCSN will pick up NBCSWSH’s coverage of the game, meaning Joe Beninati, Craig Laughlin, and even grumpy Alan May will be national.
Congrats, boys.
ALEX OVECHKIN AND WASHINGTON CAPITALS HOST SIDNEY CROSBY AND PITTSBURGH PENGUINS ON THE “NHL GAME OF THE WEEK” SUNDAY AT NOON ON NBC
“Gr8ness: Ovi’s Chase for 700” Continues Thursday on NBCSN When Caps Host Canadiens at 7 p.m. ETSTAMFORD, Conn. – Feb. 18, 2020 – Rivals clash on the NHL Game of the Week on NBC this Sunday at 12 p.m. ET, when Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals host Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins. “Gr8ness: Ovi’s Chase for 700” continues this week when the Caps host the Canadiens on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Ovechkin remains just two goals shy of 700 career goals as he enters this week’s action.
Wednesday Night Hockey this week will feature two of the league’s points leaders when Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks host Artemi Panarin and the New York Rangers this Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on NBCSN. The Miracle on Ice – 40th Anniversary, featuring Al Michaels, who called the momentous matchup in 1980, and Mike Tirico, will premiere on Wednesday night at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Click here to watch a preview.
This week’s NHL coverage begins tonight at 7 p.m. ET on NBCSN, when Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs face Crosby and the Penguins in Pittsburgh, followed by the premiere of “Connor McDavid – Whatever It Takes,” a new documentary which follows the most physically and emotionally challenging offseason of McDavid’s career.
On Sunday night, NBCSN will present a doubleheader beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET, when Eric Staal and the Minnesota Wild host Ryan O’Reilly and the Western Conference-leading St. Louis Blues. The nightcap in Anaheim will feature Ryan Getzlaf and the Ducks hosting Mark Stone and the Golden Knights at 10 p.m. ET.
Sunday’s studio coverage on NBC will be hosted by Liam McHugh with analysts Keith Jones and Mike Milbury. Ahmed Fareed will host Wednesday’s coverage on NHL Live alongside analysts Jones and Milbury and NHL insider Bob McKenzie.
Tonight’s studio coverage will be hosted by Fareed with Anson Carter and Ben Lovejoy. Kathryn Tappen will host Sunday night’s studio coverage alongside analysts Jones, Carter, and Scott Hartnell.
NHL GAME OF THE WEEK – PENGUINS-CAPITALS SUNDAY AT 12 P.M. ET ON NBC
The Penguins (36-15-6, 78 pts) have won 11 of their past 15 games and now own the fourth best point total in the league. In Sunday’s 5-1 victory over the Red Wings, Sidney Crosby (11g/25a) recorded a goal and assist, and now has 19 points in 12 games since returning from injury.
Last night, the Capitals (37-17-5, 79 pts) fell to Vegas 3-2. T.J. Oshie (24g/20a) scored twice in the contest. The Caps lead the Penguins by one point for first place in the Metropolitan Division.
Play-by-play commentator Kenny Albert, U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame member Eddie Olczyk, and ‘Inside-the-Glass’ analyst Brian Boucher will have the call from Capital One Arena in Washington D.C.
THURSDAY – CANADIENS-CAPITALS AT 7 P.M. ET ON NBCSN
Montreal (27-26-8, 62 pts) have been paced by Tomas Tatar (21g/32a) who leads the team in goals, assists and points. The Canadiens face the Red Wings tonight. Play-by-play commentator Joe Beninati and analysts Craig Laughlin and Alan May will have the call from Capital One Arena.
Headline photo courtesy of @NHLonNBCSports
