"The Great Eight" has picked up speed - and really.
When Washington beat New Jersey 4-0 at home in the Capital One Arena last night, the Russian superstar struck twice, his 16th and 17th hits of the season.
He has now scored nine goals in the last eight matches.
In addition, Capitals has won nine of the last ten.
- It's really impressive.
I think he took it personally when everyone said he had a bad start to the season.
Now it feels like every shot he fires is dangerous, says teammate Conor Sheary.
- It is incredible how many situations he creates and how many goals he scores.
"We scored nice goals"
Ovetchkin opened the scoring just under six minutes into the match after a fine interaction with compatriot Yevgeny Kuznetsov.
"Ovie" won the puck in his own zone, advanced over the ice, dropped to Kuznetsov, got the puck back and sent in 1-0.
Later in the period, Nicklas Bäckström increased to 2-0 with his 13th goal of the season, most of all Swedes in the NHL.
He could easily hit the puck after strong preparation by Tom Wilson who was surrounded by three opposing devils.
Bäckström was also on the ice and stressed out the defensive miss that was behind Washington's 3-0 in the third period.
- We scored some nice goals.
Many nice passes were fought.
I think we were much better than yesterday, when some ring rust was noticed after a few game-free days.
Tonight we had better control, says "Bäckis" to Aftonbladet.
Ovetchkin is approaching another legend
As a nice final vignette, Alexander Ovetchkin bombed in 4-0 in the final minutes.
Pang, bom.
A hard shot from the favorite position in the left technical circle.
The goal was his 723th NHL career and he is now only eight behind the legendary Marcel Dionne who with his 731 goals is the fifth best goal scorer in the league's history.
Goalkeeper Ilya Samsonov saved 24 shots and kept his first zero this season.
SEE ALSO: Six points again by Mika Zibanejad (March 26)
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New Tork Rangers star duo Artemij Panarin and Mika Zibanejad.
Photo: TT