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Alex Ovechkin has missed only 17 out of a possible 1,164 games due to injury. No forward has played more minutes since 2005.

On January 10, 2008, Alex Ovechkin, the first overall pick of the 2004 NHL Draft, signed a 13-year, $124 million contract, becoming the first player in NHL history to receive a $100 million deal. While Ovechkin’s greatness and potential were unquestioned at the time, fans and analysts wondered if he would have the durability and consistency to live up to the deal. Spoiler alert: Why Yes. Yes, he did.

Monday, Ovechkin sat out against the Montreal Canadiens, serving a one-game suspension for skipping the All-Star Game. The missed game, according to a fantastic tweet by Capitals Radio’s Ben Raby, was the 31st time in his historic 15-year career Ovechkin has been sidelined. Further, Raby reported Ovechkin has only missed 17 out of a possible 1,164 games due to injury.

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By Ian Oland 4 years ago

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Rust shaken off: numbers for the morning after

The Washington Capitals returned from their extended break away from the rink and handed an Ovi-less loss to the Montreal Canadiens. The Caps shook off the rust quick, taking down the Habs 4-2.

The Caps out-shot the Habs 41 to 33 and out-attempted them at five-on-five 52 to 48.

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By Chris Cerullo 4 years ago

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The Capitals’ bench bounce was captured on camera again

To start a new period of play, TJ Oshie and Nicklas Backstrom have a superstition where they slide into each other on the bench.

Before the bye week, NBC Sports Washington cameras noticed that Radko Gudas and Brendan Leipsic have now joined in on the fun too.

Against the Canadiens, we learned that the four-player bench bounce has continued.

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By Ian Oland 4 years ago

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Goal-scoring Jakub Vrana was a human emoji against the Habs

A very expressive Jakub Vrana scored his 23rd goal of the season against the Montreal Canadiens, Monday night. The second-period tally, which put the Capitals up 3-2, ended up being the game-winner.

The goal was Vrana’s 22nd at even strength, which is currently the third-most in the NHL. Vrana only trails Auston Matthews (25) and Alex Ovechkin (23) in the category.

V also tallied a brilliant assist on Tom Wilson’s first-period goal, giving him his ninth multi-point game of the season.

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By Ian Oland 4 years ago

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TJ Oshie’s mind-boggling skate pass

The Washington Capitals executed one of the single-most incredible breakouts I’ve ever seen against the Montreal Canadiens, Monday night. And if there wasn’t a slomo replay, I might have missed it.

TJ Oshie took a pass from the defensive zone and redirected the puck soccer-style to Evgeny Kuznetsov. The play sprung the Russian center on the breakaway.

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By Ian Oland 4 years ago

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No Ovi, no problem: Caps beat Habs 4-2

The Caps got back in action after the All-Star break with a fun-yet-Ovi-less win over the Canadiens in Montreal.

The Canadiens scored first, a one-on-zero as Jeff Petry eludes the Caps defense. Washington replied late in the first period as Tom Wilson took a sweet below-the-goal-line pass from Jakub Vrana.

The Caps added two more goals in the second period: one, an own-goal by Petry and awarded to Brendan Leipsic; and two, a gorgeous sequence finished off by Vrana but made possible by Kuznetsov’s awesome forecheck.

Dale Weise got one back in the third period was the Caps turtled, but Holtby bailed ’em out on the rest. Nicky Backstrom finished it off with an empty-netter.

Caps win!

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By Peter Hassett 4 years ago

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Travis Boyd scores on own-goal by Jeff Petry

Travis Boyd hasn’t gotten a ton of playing time lately, but he made his appearance in Monday’s game against the Canadiens count with a galaxy-brain bank shot off the skate of Jeff Petry.

Boyd got a jersey due to Alex Ovechkin’s one-game suspension.

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By Ian Oland 4 years ago

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Tom Wilson scores on powerplay after beautiful pass by Jakub Vrana

Sans Ovi, the Washington Capitals managed to get their power play productive in the first period of Monday’s game in Montreal.

The goal came courtesy of Tom Wilson, with a gorgeous assist from new PP boy Jakub Vrana.

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By Ian Oland 4 years ago

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Injury report for Caps at Canadiens

The Caps are back and ready to get after this second half. They’ll start it off in Montreal against the Canadiens.

Puck drop is at 7:00 PM and this is your injury report.

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By Chris Cerullo 4 years ago

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Caps at Canadiens pregame: Back in action

The Washington Capitals are back on the ice for NHL play for the first time in nine days. They will return to said play on the road in Montreal against the Canadiens.

Puck drop is at 7:00 PM and Peter will have your recap.

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By Chris Cerullo 4 years ago

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