Alex Ovechkin has accomplished almost everything there is to accomplish in the NHL, but on Monday, he managed a career-first in his 20th career season. Ovechkin, 39, scored his first-ever playoff overtime goal, giving the Washington Capitals a 1-0 series lead over the Montreal Canadiens.
Ovechkin beat Habs goaltender Sam Montembeault from just outside the crease, whacking an airborne centering pass from Anthony Beauvillier into the yawning net. The goal gave the Capitals a 3-2 victory and was Ovechkin’s second marker of the night — his 10th career multi-goal game in the postseason.
Ovi celebrated by excitedly pointing to his family along the glass as his teammates emptied the bench and mobbed him along the boards.
Ovechkin’s sudden-death tally was his first in 152 career playoff games, including 46 games that went to overtime. He’s made 16 separate playoff appearances during his 20 years with the Capitals.
“Good things happen when you go to the net,” Ovechkin said post-game.
The Capitals needed Ovechkin’s clutch goal after giving up consecutive tallies to the Habs in the third period.
Ovechkin ultimately won the game for the Capitals after a Canadiens’ icing call 2:20 into the extra frame. Dylan Strome won the offensive zone faceoff, attempting to find Ovechkin on a set play. Ovi’s shot was muffed and made its way to Beauvillier near the left post. Beauvillier’s shot was stopped by Montembeault, but he retrieved the rebound at the end boards, chipping a perfect pass to Ovechkin crashing the net.
The tally was Ovechkin’s 74th career playoff goal – tying him with Joe Pavelski for 13th on the NHL’s all-time list.
Ovechkin was arguably the best player on the ice for either team, registering points (2g, 1a) on all three of the Caps’ tallies. He also had 4 shots on goal, 9 individual shot attempts, and 7 hits in 16:45 of ice time. He was the game’s First Star of the Night.
