Benefit of Russian stars: Ovechkin and Tarasenko scored on a double, and Svechnikov scored points in the fifth NHL match in a row

The next game day of the NHL regular championship was not without a bright performance of Russian legionnaires. But if Vladimir Tarasenko gradually continues to return to his former positions and reinforces himself in the status of the leader of St. Louis, and Andrey Svechnikov justifies the hopes placed on him, then Alexander Ovechkin immortalizes himself in the history of the overseas league. In the match with Ottawa, the leader of Washington scored twice and not only came close to the fourth place in the list of snipers in the whole history, but also surpassed one of Wayne Gretzky's records.

At first, it seemed that the Capitals would confidently cope with the Senators without Ovechkin's help. The guests, though conceded already at the 146th second, were leading by the 16th minute with a score of 4: 1. However, the advantage gained in the middle of the first period was easily lost in the second. The hosts distinguished themselves three times in a row and restored parity. And it was at this moment that Alexander came to the fore, having never left the ice without points for performance this season.

At first, he was rehabilitated for not the most successful actions in the episode with the fourth conceded goal - it was he who drove past Drake Butterson and actually allowed him to make a double. Ovechkin blocked Nikita Zaitsev's shot and thus organized himself an impromptu bullet against Philip Gustafsson's goal. And he didn't even have to use a series of feints to confuse the Swede and send the puck to the "house".

Ovechkin's second goal was less than ten minutes before the final siren and was performed in a more classic style. Formally, "Washington" was unable to take advantage of the removal in the opposition, but in fact this puck was abandoned as a result of an attack organized by the majority. At the time of Alex Forementon's return to the ice, the guests were still in the opponent's zone, and Alexander was located in his "office" - the left throw-in circle. There was a transfer from Tom Wilson, culminating in an irresistible wrist throw from the captain. So the Russian established the final score of the match - 7: 5.

Despite the fact that the aforementioned Butterson and the Capitals forward TJ Oshi marked the hat-tricks, Ovechkin was in the spotlight. With seven goals, he topped this season's sniper tally and finished second in the top scorer race. Alexander has 12 points, which is only one less than Connor McDavid (6 + 7).

Among other things, Ovechkin took another step towards the fourth position in the list of the best snipers in NHL history.

As a result of the meeting with Ottawa "in his track record appears 737 goals - just four less than the legendary Brett Hull.

The match also became the 151st in Alexander's career, in which he scored at least a double.

Moreover, 84 times this happened on the road, which none of the league's hockey players can boast of.

According to this indicator, the Russian surpasses not only the aforementioned Canadian (72), but also Wayne Gretzky himself (83).

At the same time, Ovechkin continues not only to set records, but also to win the hearts of fans.

During the pre-game warm-up, he donated his stick to a Canadian cheerleader who covered 3,000 kilometers for the opportunity to watch her idol perform.

And initially she only asked for a selfie with the captain of "Washington".

Unlike the Capitals, the Blues dealt with another rival in a much more relaxed style. In the confrontation with the hard times "Los Angeles", Craig Beruby's wards scored three unanswered goals and for the first time in the history of the club won five matches in a row at the start of the regular season. And the title of the main star of the meeting was given to Vladimir Tarasenko.

Both goals of the Russian were the result of solo passes. But if in the second case he took advantage of the gross mistake of the enemy's defenders and realized a one-on-one exit with the goalkeeper, then in the first he created a real masterpiece. Tarasenko received a pass from the starboard side, mockingly threw the puck between the legs of defender Michael Anderson and playfully dealt with Jonathan Quick in close combat. All of Vladimir's accurate shots came in the third period, as a result of which the Kings had no time to recoup. They went ahead anyway, but only allowed David Perron to hit the empty net.

Tarasenko scored points in the fourth match in a row and with six (3 + 3) points took the third place in the list of scorers of "St. Louis".

Above him are only Jordan Kairu (2 + 6) and the same Perron (6 + 2).

Moreover, the top six also includes Ivan Barbashev (3 + 2), who acted as an assistant in the episode with Vladimir's second goal.

In addition to Ovechkin and Tarasenko, the beginning of the season is quite successful for Andrey Svechnikov.

Like Alexander, the young Russian forward of Carolina never left the court without scored points and did not break this tradition in the confrontation with the formidable Toronto.

This time he showed himself in the role of both a sniper and an assistant, in many ways ensuring his team an important victory - 4: 1.

With an equal score, he took part in an effective combination, which ended with a goal by Sebastian Aho.

Svechnikov gave a pass to defender Ethan Bear, whose trajectory was slightly corrected by the Finn.

And a minute before the end of regular time, Andrei struck an empty net.

Thanks to this, Svechnikov took second place in the scorers' race of this season among the Russians.

Yes, he has an equal number of points with Evgeny Kuznetsov (both - nine), but the Washington forward had one more meeting.

In terms of the number of points on average per game, Andrey shares the sixth line in the league (1.8), behind only Sami Nick, Max Domi, Alexander Ovechkin (all - 2.0 each), as well as Edmonton stars - Leon Dreisatl (2, 2) and Connor McDavid (2.6).