Alexander Ovechkin has recently gotten into amazing shape and is doing everything to break Wayne Gretzky's record as soon as possible - becoming the best sniper in NHL history, as well as leading Washington to the playoffs. I can’t even believe that until February he scored catastrophically few goals, thereby forcing many experts to seriously talk about retiring.
But at the right moment, the same Ovi returned, who has been terrifying his opponents for almost 20 years. Since January 27, the forward has scored 18 goals in 24 matches, and in the last five he has scored eight times. Moreover, he completed three takes in six days. Winnipeg, which is fighting for leadership in the Western Conference, became the next team to suffer from the actions of the Russian.
The confrontation at Capital One Arena was preceded by a colorful ceremony dedicated to TJ Oshie. A week earlier, the American held the 1000th anniversary meeting in the league. In honor of this event, the hockey player was presented with a commemorative stick, a jersey with his portrait and a cup. Even Niklas Bäckström, whose broadcasts Ovechkin probably misses, came out to congratulate his long-time partner.
However, the rivals were not going to give gifts. In the opening period, the guests had the advantage and made ten shots. But Charlie Lindgren, who was eventually recognized as the second star of the game, acted above all praise. He repeatedly helped out his teammates. Just look at one episode when the goalkeeper managed to move and parry Mason Appleton's dangerous shot from the right throw-in circle.
The owners rarely responded. The only thing I remember was the episode when Connor Hellebuyck first deflected Ivan Miroshnichenko's shot, and then coped with the finishing move from Alexey Protas. Yes, and Ovechkin disturbed him with a click in the opening, but the goalkeeper calmly took the puck. A little later, the Russian, having received a pass in an advantageous position, tried to make a transfer to the far post, but his teammates did not support him.
The second period turned out to be even more difficult for the capital. The shooting statistics were especially indicative: 10:3 in favor of Rick Bowness's team. This was largely due to two removals from the hosts at once. Ovi himself also went to the bench for violating the number of players. Fortunately for Washington fans, Lindgren caught the courage and carried literally everything. And they applauded him especially loudly when he parried Adam Lowry’s shot with a pancake in the splits.
But in the final 20 minutes the Jets paid for their poor execution. Moreover, the Capitals, unlike their opponents, converted the majority. Mark Scheifele violated the rules before the break, and after John Carlson opened the scoring. The defender joined the attack, waited for a discount from Max Pacioretty and left no chance for Hellebuyck with a powerful flick.
Next it was Ovechkin's time. His first goal turned out to be quite funny. Connor McMichael won the face-off and appeared to throw between the goalie's pads himself. The puck, having caught his equipment, slowed down a little, but still crawled into the goal. At first, the capture was attributed to the Canadian. But the replay showed that the Russian managed to stick his stick through and touch the puck last, actually taking advantage of the inertia of his partner’s throw. Soon the correct name lit up on the board.
And in the middle of the period, Alexander distinguished himself. At the same time, the combination turned out to be a sight for sore eyes. Particularly noteworthy are the actions of Nick Jensen. Even though the defender was not listed as an assistant, in fact it was he who dispersed the fast attack, competently escaping the pressure in his own half and making a penetrating pass into the middle zone to Oshie.
The attacking trio played everything out like clockwork. The veteran passed to the left to Dylan Strome, who found a completely free Ovechkin on the opposite side. Dylan Samberg, who had clearly lost his position, did not have time to prevent the Russian from breaking into operational space and outwitting Hellebuyck. Alexander shifted the puck under his awkward hand and sent it into the net.
Winnipeg, no matter how hard it tried, was unable to unseal Lindgren, who made 27 saves and scored the seventh shutout of his NHL career. Moreover, in the end, Spencer Carbery's squad could have increased the lead. The same Ovechkin appeared on the ice in the majority in the hope of a debut hat-trick in the current regular season, but did not succeed.
However, it is unlikely that he was very upset about this, because he scored the 847th and 848th goals in his career and reduced the gap behind Gretzky in the fight for the title of the best NHL sniper to 46. In the meantime, the forward with 26 goals took the lead in the team sniper race, and in terms of points (58) he shares first place with Strome.
Along the way, he rewrote a number of achievements. Firstly, Ovechkin scored for the 18th time and equaled Jaromir Jagr in this indicator. Only the legendary Gordie Howe (20) is ahead of them. Moreover, the only time Alexander the Great did not overcome this mark was in the 2020/21 season, shortened due to the coronavirus pandemic, when he scored 24 times. Secondly, the Washington captain had his 172nd NHL game with multiple goals and is second only to Gretzky (189). Finally, he became the first hockey player aged 38 or older to upset goalies eight times in five games.
Ovechkin himself, answering a question from journalists about how he managed to adjust his aim, admitted that he simply tries to shoot as often as possible, and the puck flies where it should.
Fans can’t get enough of the leader, because thanks to him, the whole of Washington has been transformed. The team won its fifth victory in the last six matches and returned to the playoff zone in the East. Now he is one point ahead of Detroit, who also played one more match.