There’s an excitement in the air tonight in Washington, DC and I’m not talking about the cherry blossoms.
Alex Ovechkin enters today’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks a hat trick away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goals record of 894. A hat trick is three goals, and for most professional hockey players, that’s a lot of goals to score in a single hockey game. But for the Ovechkin, this is something he’s done 32 previous times in his career before. And if you recall correctly, it’s something he accomplished against this against the same Blackhawks team in 2022 to reach the 800-goal milestone.
I have that excited feeling in my gut. Do you?
In terms of the actual game, Ovechkin and the rest of his Capitals teammates will face Spencer Knight in goal. Charlie Lindgren will get the start for the Caps. This will be Ryan Leonard’s Capital One Arena Debut.
Puck drop for Caps-Blackhawks is set for 7:00 pm on Monumental Sports Network and NHL Network. Joe B and Locker have the call. Lets. Go. Caps.
Lines
Washington Capitals
Chicago Blackhawks
Tunnel shenanigans
1st Period
Capitals hold beautiful ceremony for the ALL CAPS and 2018 Stanley Cup Team Era. Nicklas Backstrom, TJ Oshie, Braden Holtby, Brooks Orpik, and Devante Smith-Pelly.
Bob McDonald and Caleb Green sing the national anthem.
Puck is dropped.
🚨 1-0 Washington Capitals. WSH Goal: Alex Ovechkin (40). Assists: D. Strome (50), J. Carlson (43). Time: 03:52.
Alex Ovechkin scores 893rd career goal with Wayne Gretzky in attendance at Capital One Arena
OVI SCORES! Alex Ovechkin scores career goal no. 893, beating Knight on a one-timer. One away from tying and two away from breaking.
Wayne Gretzky can be seen clapping in the owner’s box, sitting next to Gary Bettman and FBI director Kash Patel.
🚨 1-1 tie. CHI Goal: Tyler Bertuzzi (21). Assists: L. Slaggert (2), F. Nazar (12). Time: 13:55.
Bertuzzi finds a loose puck and scores at the far post.
Ryan Leonard gets his first NHL penalty, a high-sticking penalty on Joe Veleno at 18:21. Spencer Carbery was furious bc it was not actually a penalty.
At intermission: The Capitals and Blackhawks are tied 1-1 in a very exciting game. Shots are tied 10 to 10.
2nd Period
Puck is dropped.
🚨 2-1 Chicago Blackhawks. CHI Goal: Frank Nazar (8). Assists: O. Moore (1), P. Maroon (14). Time: 00:31.
After Leonard’s penalty ends, Nazar scores, chopping the puck over the catching glove of Charlie Lindgren.
🚨 2-2 tie. WSH Goal: Martin Fehervary (5). Assists: C. McMichael (30), J. Carlson (44). Time: 07:09.
It’s a Marty Party after the Slovakian defenseman finds paydirt near the net.
UH OH.
🚨 3-2 Chicago Blackhawks. CHI Goal: Philipp Kurashev (7). Unassisted. Time: 07:19.
Blackhawks wrestle back the lead 10 seconds later.
The buzz and excitement in the crowd whenever Ovechkin touches the puck is special.
Blackhawks and Capitals are having a huge scrum behind the Capitals net after Matt Roy is tripped into the end boards.
Nazar to the box for slashing at 12:40. It’s the Capitals first power play of the game.
Ovi nearly scores off a faceoff. Joe B was screaming. This is so exciting. My hands have been shaking this whole game.
At intermission: The Blackhawks are leading 3-2. Capitals lead in shots 18 to 17. One of the most electric games in recent history.
3rd Period
Puck is dropped.
Pat Maroon to the box for tripping TVR at 3:09.
🚨 3-3 tie. WSH PPG: Dylan Strome (25). Unassisted. Time: 03:46.
Ovechkin was inches away from scoring on the door step, instead it was a Connor Murphy own goal. Some fans booed. Haha.
Aliaksei Protas having trouble with his left ankle and needing help off the ice at the 4:22 mark. Uh oh. He’s hopping down the dressing room tunnel.
Connor Bedard to the box for holding at 5:07.
🚨 4-3 Washington Capitals. WSH PPG: Alex Ovechkin (41). Assists: J. Carlson (45), A. Mangiapane (13). Time: 06:13
Alex Ovechkin ties Wayne Gretzky for the most goals in NHL history with 894
NO. 894. HE TIED GRETZKY. HE DID IT!
🚨 5-3 Washington Capitals. WSH ENG: Ryan Leonard (1). Unassisted. Time: 18:24
Ryan Leonard makes a great defensive play and scores his first NHL goal. Ovechkin appeared to ask Carbery not to go out with the Islanders’ goalie pulled.
Capitals win 5-3.
894 and Ryan Leonard’s first NHL goal: Capitals beat Blackhawks 5-3
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