Washington ended up 0-2 at home in the Capital One Arena before the pickup came in the third period.

Team captain Alexander Ovetchkin pushed in the reduction from close range, 1.39 into the period, despite courtesy from two away defenders.

Halfway into the third, "Ovie" equalized on a pass from Nicklas Bäckström, but the game continued for a full 16 seconds before the referees blew and stated that the Russian had scored his 28th goal of the season.

The puck bounced in and out of the goal so quickly that most of them on the ice were completely set.

"We were a little lucky"

The extra time was only 1.13 years old when Ottawa's Josh Norris tried to get past Bäckström in his own zone.

But the Swede twisted the puck and finished elegantly when he came alone against goalkeeper Matt Murray.

- We were a little lucky there, I think.

The puck took on my leg, otherwise it might have been 3-2 in the other direction instead, says Bäckström about the decisive sequence.

The goal was his second of the season, but then you have to remember that "Bäckis" did not make his season debut until December 16 due to a stubborn hip injury.

Notable in other respects was that Washington forward Carl Hagelin made his 700th game in his NHL career.

FROM YESTERDAY: Odd goal when Crosby completed a hat trick

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Sidney Crosby cheers after one of his three goals against Columbus.

It was his twelfth hat-trick in his NHL career.

Photo: TT