Another achievement by Ovechkin and a sweater in memory of Bryant
Recently, Alexander Ovechkin sets a new record in almost every NHL match, even when “Washington” is defeated. So on Wednesday, although the Capitals did not cope with the Nashville Predators, however, the Russian once again entered his name in history.
The puck into the opponent’s goal at the end of the first period became his 35th in the current season and 693th in the NHL. This helped him reach a clean ninth place on the list of the best snipers in league history. Alexander beat the current general manager of Detroit Red Wings, Steve Aizerman, and came close to Mark Messier, who accounted for 694 goals. Aizerman reacted positively to Ovechkin overtaking him.
"Hi Alex, this is Steve Aiserman from Detroit." Accept my congratulations on the ninth position on the list of the best snipers ... I want to wish you the best of luck and success, watching your game is a real pleasure. And one more thing. When you beat Wayne Gretzky’s goal record, after winning the Stanley Cup, I would like to be invited to your party, ”the Championship official says.
Ovechkin also came out on top in the NHL among left-handed hitters in the number of seasons with 35 goals and more. The Russian has 12 such seasons, and according to this indicator, he left behind Bobby Hall and Luke Robital. If we take into account the representatives of all roles, then Mike Gartner (14), Wayne Gretzky and Marcel Dionne (13 each) remain.
By the time Ovechkin scored a goal, “Washington” was already inferior in the long run - 1: 3. But the goal of the Russian breathed hope into the team, and after the break she went ahead. However, the metropolitan team was let down by goalkeeper Braden Holtby, who, when playing the majority, presented the shell to Ryan Johansen. And five minutes before the end, Nashville pulled out a victory.
As for Ovechkin, he attracted the attention of the fans at the pre-match workout. Alexander went on the ice in a sweater with the 24th number in memory of Kobe Bryant, who crashed in a plane crash.
“It was our idea because he was a legend. Kobe was a great man and one of the greatest athletes of all time. It's all about respect. We wanted to honor the memory of Kobe and his daughter, ”said Ovechkin.
Guryanov's beautiful goal and Radulov's work washers
No less productive game day turned out for Russian hockey players “Dallas” Denis Guryanov and Alexander Radulov, although their team also failed to win. They scored three goals for two and did everything to win the Stars in the match against Toronto, but the efforts of domestic hockey players were not enough - 3: 5.
Guryanov’s goal in the first period turned out to be especially beautiful. Denis grabbed the puck on the red line, walked away from several defenders and calmly outplayed the goalkeeper.
Thus, “Dallas” managed to equalize, but after the break the hosts missed twice. Then the most experienced Radulov joined in the matter, who tried to return his team to the game. Both of his washers turned out to be workers. First, he closed the transfer of a partner in the left circle of the face-off.
And 14 minutes before the end of normal time, Alexander competently put himself under the throw of a partner and became the author of the double. Now the striker has 15 goals in the current NHL season and 30 points for performance (15 + 15).
New assistant double Kucherov and 32 saves Vasilevsky
But the Russian Tampa Bay Lightning legionnaires managed to celebrate the most important away victory over the Los Angeles Kings, and John Cooper's wards showed remarkable character. The beginning of the meeting was not very successful for them. The hosts quickly earned a majority and realized it, and in the debut of the second period they doubled the advantage in the long run.
However, the guests managed to distinguish themselves twice in seven minutes and restore the status quo on the scoreboard. Stephen Stamkos was helped to level the score by Nikita Kucherov, who found his partner an excellent pass in the left circle of the face-off.
And at the beginning of the final period, the best scorer of the last “regular season” gave an assist to Eric Chernak and helped Tampa Bay take the lead for the first time in the match. The same point a second before the siren put Stamkos.
As for Kucherov, he in the second game in a row was marked by an assistant double. In his asset in the current season there are already 36 assists and 22 goals. In the scorer race, Nikita climbed to 12th place with 58 points.
Also it is impossible not to mention the goalkeeper “Lightning” Andrei Vasilevsky, who chalked up 32 saves and made a significant contribution to the victory of the team.