Photo: @monsportsnet

After recording his 21st career hat trick in the Capitals’ last game against the Detroit Red Wings, the Capitals’ captain followed that up with a second consecutive “hatty” against the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday night, getting a shout out from famed television host Larry King. 

Ovechkin’s first goal came just under the four-minute mark on assists from rookie blueliner Jonas Siegenthaler and center Nic Dowd; the assist was Siegenthaler’s first NHL point:

Good keep. Good rip. #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/u3m1IRRuGm

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 15, 2018

Ovechkin’s second tally came with the Capitals down 4-2 in the second period, cutting the deficit to 4-3, on assists from Dowd and John Carlson:

FAKE CLAPPER! YES! #CapsCanes #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/HJ0A8EBmlE

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 15, 2018

Ovechkin’s final goal came at the 9:49 mark of the third period, putting the Caps ahead temporarily, 5-4. His third (a power play marker) came on assists from Carlson and Nicklas Backstrom, pushing him past Pittsburgh Penguins great Mario Lemieux for seventh on the all-time power play goals list, tied with Brendan Shanahan. It also extended his league lead in goals to 28:

BACK-TO-BACK HATTYS! #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/p8Ffesg7x3

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 15, 2018

The best part of the hat trick was a congratulatory tweet from famous television personality Larry King, who tweeted the following:

The great @ovi8 had another hat trick tonight! He is unbelievable! Way to go, Alex. I love watching you!

— Larry King (@kingsthings) December 15, 2018

With his 237th career power play goal, Alex Ovechkin has passed Mario Lemieux (236) for seventh place on the NHL’s all time power play goals list.

Ovechkin became the 14th player in NHL history to record a hat trick in consecutive games on multiple occasions in his career and the first to do so since Alex Kovalev (Feb. 7 & 10 and Nov. 13 & 14, 2001). 

Additionally, @ovi8 became the 13th player in League history to record a hat trick against 14 or more different opponents. 

Ovechkin hat tricks, by opponent: Ottawa (3), STL (2) MIN (2) FLA (2) ATL (2)MTL (2)  TOR (2) ANA, BOS, NJ, PGH, DET, CAR and TB 1 (@WaltonCaps)

By Michael Fleetwood

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