Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin scored a game-tying power play goal in the third period of Friday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes. The goal was his 1,395th career NHL point, allowing him to pass Luc Robitaille for sole possession of 22nd place in NHL career points. By passing Robitaille, Ovechkin now has the most career points for a player who was primarily a left winger. Ovechkin also had the game-winning goal in the shootout.
The Capitals trailed 3-2 for most of the third period, despite outshooting the Hurricanes by a 2:1 ratio. With just over five minutes to go in the game, Vincent Trocheck of Carolina took an interference penalty on Garnett Hathaway, which put the Caps on the power play. Just four seconds later, Ovechkin scored on a wrist shot from just above the left face-off circle, tying the game 3-3.
#ALLCAPS 3-3. OVI TIES IT UP! RIGHT OFF THE DRAW. LISTEN TO THE OVI CHANTS pic.twitter.com/O1zkEL7ApT
— Capitals Replays (@capsreplays) March 19, 2022
It was Ovechkin’s 39th goal of the season, just one goal shy of the 40 goal threshold. If he scores his 40th this season, it would be the twelfth time in his career he has reached that mark and would tie him with Wayne Gretzky for the most seasons with 40 or more goals.
With the goal, Ovechkin passes Luc Robitaille (1,394) for the 22nd most points in NHL history.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) March 19, 2022
Friday night’s goal increased his career point total to 1,395, breaking a tie with Luc Robitaille for 22nd in NHL points and first in career points earned by a left winger. All other players ahead of Ovechkin for career points were either centers (14 in all), right wingers (5 in all), or defensemen (Ray Bourque, Paul Coffey).
Ovechkin also scored the deciding goal in the shootout. This was his 15th career game-deciding shootout goal, tying him for tenth place in NHL history.
Ovechkin’s 15 career game-deciding shootout goals are tied for the 10th most in the NHL since the NHL introduced the shootout in 2005-06.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) March 19, 2022
Capitals’ Head Coach Peter Laviolette talked about Ovechkin’s game as part of his post-game press conference. “Listen, he wants it on his stick. He doesn’t want to be on the bench, he wants to be out there and making the difference. His release is something, and he’s a big-time player.”
Defenseman John Carlson also spoke about Ovechkin in his post game interview, talking about his clutchness, “He’s been doing it for a long time. And everyone’s expecting him to spring loose and showcase his talent and his shot and all that. The thing is … how clutch he is…He lives for the big moments…Kudos to him for giving us that chance.”
The Capitals have the day off on Saturday before they host Braden Holtby and the Dallas Stars on Sunday. It will be Holtby’s first appearance at Capital One Arena in over two years. Puck drop is set for 5:00 PM on Sunday.
By Diane Doyle
