Photo: Bruce Bennett
Alex Ovechkin scored two goals as the Capitals beat the New York Rangers 4-3 (OT) at Madison Square Gardens on Saturday evening. Ovechkin and Justin Williams had put the Caps 2-0 up but the Rangers fought back in the third period to lead 3-2. Nicklas Backstrom equalised with 5.7 seconds remaining and Ovechkin scored the game-winning goal 1:25 into overtime to take him to 499 NHL career goals.
By Hana Imiolczyk 5 years ago
The Caps-Rangers game earlier today was an instant classic. There was an amazing last second game-tying goal by Nicklas Backstrom, a brilliant OTGWG by Alex Ovechkin, and a clutch stop by Braden Holtby and Nate Schmidt on a shot near the goal line. But if there was one play that stuck out to me more than the rest, it was Karl Alzner‘s unselfish shot block.
Let me set the scene. In the second period with the Caps up 2-0, Alzner broke up a J.T. Miller scoring chance with a diving pokecheck. As the play continued, Miller received the puck back from a teammate and looked to score again. Alzner, still laying on the ice from his previous heads up play, did something remarkable.
Photo: Adam Hunger
Alex Ovechkin will be remembered as the hero of this Caps-Rangers game. Scoring in overtime, Ovechkin skated past six-time all star Rick Nash and beat one of the best goalies in the game, Henrik Lundqvist, in the slot. His exuberant, clumsy celebration was the stuff of legend.
But without Nicklas Backstrom, the Capitals would have never pushed the game to overtime in the first place.
On one end, Braden Holtby and Nate Schmidt combined to make a miracle stop to save the game. Then on the other, future hall of famer Alex Ovechkin scored on a brilliant individual play, skating past Rick Nash and shooting the puck through Henrik Lundqvist’s five-hole.
Caps win 4-3 in overtime. Alex Ovechkin scores career goal number 499 and his second goal of the game. It’s Ovi’s 5th game-winning goal of the season.
The Washington Capitals weren’t quite ready for Saturday afternoon’s date with the New York Rangers. They got an early lead but were unable to protect it. The Rangers took the lead in the third, and it fell to Nick Backstrom to push us past #rego. Then the Captain did The Thing.
Alex Ovechkin struck first with a gift-wrapped goal in the first period. Justin Williams doubled that lead with a solo-effort, tuck-in goal in the second period.
Oscar Lindberg cut that lead to one in the third period after defusing Washington’s breakout, then Kevin Hayes erased the lead altogether with ten minutes left. With 7 minutes left, Viktor Stalberg did the unprecedented: taking the lead back from the Caps in the third period. The Caps looked at the peak of their powers in a comeback effort, finished off by a desperate goal by Nick Backstrom with 6 seconds left.
Then, in overtime, Alex Ovechkin won it, scoring his 499th career goal.
Caps beat Rangers 4-3 in overtime.
By Peter Hassett 5 years ago
Justin Williams has been kinda sorta bad luck this season. Caps players, including Alex Ovechkin and Williams himself, had seen goals washed out due to goofs this season. But on Saturday afternoon, Williams was the author of his own success, and even got luck to turn his way a little bit for once.
Photo: Adam Hunger
Alex Ovechkin’s 498 career goal wasn’t a blockbuster. It wasn’t a decisive drive to the net, using a defenseman as a screen, or an Ovi Shot from the Ovi Spot, or anything like that. It was a gift, an accident, a farce.
And it still counts, dammit.
Washington Capitals forward and real American TJ Oshie has always been a thoughtful guy and that was on display once against during the first period of Caps-Rangers. After taking a hooking penalty on Jayson Megna, Oshie was sent to the penalty box as the game went a commercial break. When the Rangers’ telecast returned, Oshie was seen standing at the penalty box door, slamming his stick against the floor to salute U.S. Air Force Veteran, George Maier.
Happy Saturday, hockey people. In just a few hours, the Capitals will take the ice at Madison Square Garden to play the New York Rangers, who aren’t very good anymore. But that’s no reason to get cocky; the Caps will be without their sterling third line center, Marcus Johansson, who is serving a two-game suspension.
Puck drops at 1 PM, and coverage is on CSN. I’ll be doing a light recap with heavy hors d’oeuvres.
| Team | Record | Possession | PDO | Power Play | Penalty Kill |
| Washington Capitals | 30-7-3 | 51.7% | 102.2 | 25.4% | 84.6% |
| New York Rangers | 22-14-0 | 48.2% | 102.7 | 19.3% | 80.5% |
By Peter Hassett 5 years ago
