The Washington Capitals lost their Super Sunday matchup against the Vancouver Canucks, but the team did not leave entirely empty-handed. Alex Ovechkin notched the 835th goal of his career in the second period, extending his goal streak to five games.
While he had a slow start to season–at least in the goal-scoring department–the Great Eight has seemingly found his groove once again. Ovechkin’s teammates and coach alike praised his play after the game, highlighting his return to form.
“He’s hot right now. Obviously, we know he scores goals,” goaltender Darcy Kuemper said with a chuckle. “So to have him on the streak he is is really helping us obviously. And we’re all happy to see it.”
Ovechkin himself was more demure when discussing the goal.
“I think, the puck goes in; it’s a good thing,” he said. “I’ll take it and move on.”
After recording a three-point weekend in the Capitals’ back-to-back, Ovechkin now has seven points (5g, 2a) in his last five games and 16 points (7g, 8a) in his last 15 games. Per NHL PR, his last five-game goal streak came in March of 2021.
Head coach Spencer Carbery highlighted the improvements he’s seen in Ovechkin’s play during his postgame media availability.
“He’s playing at a real high level,” he noted. “I feel like he’s even skating a little bit more. I feel like there’s a little bit more jump in his step. Talked about it a couple times since coming back from the break. So that’s a positive step, because we need him and it’s well-documented, our production issues.
“So for him to get going–and even in the way he’s scoring. I know these aren’t highlight reel, it’s in off skates. But these are positive things and you can feel him gaining more confidence as each one goes in and as he gets on.”
Though Ovechkin’s point streak began in January, his performance got even better after the All-Star Break. Ovechkin had asked not to participate in the 2023 All-Star Game, expressing a desire to rest before the remainder of the season. Spencer Carbery grinned when asked if the vacation (including camel rides!) had contributed to his explosive return.
“Anything is possible, right?” Carbery said.”Yeah, it’s been something. He’s had a recipe for how he spends his All-Star breaks and traditionally he’s played well in the second half of seasons. I think this is no different for him to get [mentally] away from the game, not think about the NHL, not think about the Washington Capitals, not think about hockey, and be able to come back refreshed and ready for the stretch run. And that looks like, right now, exactly what’s taking place.”
Though Ovechkin’s contributions on the scoresheet stick out, TJ Oshie made a point to highlight his recent defensive performance.
“He’s shooting the puck really well, obviously,” said TJ Oshie. “He’s doing a lot of little things really well that I think are helping us out defensively that are leading to offense and odd-man rushes for him. It’s coming back in the D-zone and stopping in a good area…I think it’s honestly the stuff he’s doing away from the puck that’s letting his natural, phenomenal ability take over and start putting some points on the board.”
Nic Dowd praised not only Ovechkin’s play but the efforts of those around him. The Ovechkin-Strome-Oshie line scored in both of the back-to-back games, Ovechkin and Oshie each added a goal on the power play, and the team’s defense allowed just three goals on the weekend.
“I think [Ovechkin has] done a great job as a goal scorer, putting himself in positions to shoot the puck,” Dowd said. “I also think the four guys that are playing with him are playing good hockey as well. And I think you look across the league, you have pure goal scorers–they generally play with four pretty good individuals that can get them the puck.”
“Obviously, he’s with two of the same forwards, but the D rotate a little bit. But I think our D have been playing really, really well recently. And the other two guys that he’s playing with have been been playing well, giving him opportunities to shoot, and he’s been finishing.”
