Photo: NHL via Getty Images

While T.J. Oshie’s return and goal in the Capitals’ 6-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings may garner a lot of the attention on Tuesday night, captain Alex Ovechkin extended his point streak and then some, recording his 21st career hat trick in the team’s route of the Motor City’s beloved hockey team. 

The hat trick plus an assist added to Ovechkin’s 12-game point streak and also extended his league lead in goals to 24 goals. Ovechkin is currently on pace for 63 goals at the age of 33, and while it is likely that he may maintain that pace over the remainder of the season, it is an encouraging sign that the future Hall of Famer continues to defy Father Time.

Ovechkin’s first goal was somewhat of an odd one, as it seemed to be an intended pass for Devante Smith-Pelly, who was parked in front of the goal-crease, but it instead bounced of a Detroit defender and past goalie Jonathan Bernier:

Ovechkin’s second goal came on a 2-on-1 with Oshie, and while the Caps’ captain was undoubtedly looking for Oshie, the passing lane wasn’t open and he made no mistake by putting it over the glove of Bernier for his second of the game:

Ovechkin’s third goal may be described as a lucky bounce, as it trickled past backup goalie Jimmy Howard (who had come in to replace Bernier) to give The Great Eight the “hatty”:

By Michael Fleetwood