Alex Ovechkin had his most impassioned period of the season with 20 minutes left in regulation, and the Washington Capitals down 2-0 to the New Jersey Devils. In fact, his heroics got the Capitals a standings point they may not have deserved.
First, Ovechkin played the role of the Dish Master, notching a primary assist on Connor McMichael’s second goal of the season. The tally came exactly one minute into the third period.
The Capitals captain then followed that up with his 902nd career goal, tying the game 2-2 with 11:31 remaining.
Ovechkin made the play despite being tripped after a faceoff. He eventually got up and camped out in front of the crease. As Connor McMichael sent a shot attempt wide to the net, Ovechkin caught the biscuit and immediately slid it under Devils goaltender Jake Allen.
The goal was Ovechkin’s fifth of the season and the 1,637th point of his career. With the tally, Ovechkin extended his NHL record for most game-tying goals in league history with 151.
The Capitals could not take the lead, though, and the team eventually fell in the shootout. Ovechkin had a shootout attempt in the fourth round, but despite deking Allen to the ice, he could not pot a goal.
In 17:38 of ice time, Ovechkin had two points (1g, 1a), three shots, and four hits. At five-on-five, Ovechkin had 8 shot attempts, 3 scoring chances, and 2 high danger chances individually. The Capitals out-attempted the Devils 18 to 12 with Ovechkin on the ice, and the team recorded 70.9 percent of the expected goals.
A great burst, but not enough to reverse the Capitals’ losing ways.