Photo by Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images

The Washington Capitals fell to the Detroit Red Wings, 3-1 Thursday night in Motown. Alex Ovechkin scored his 786th career goal in the second period, tying Gordie Howe for most goals with a single franchise. The loss drops the Capitals record to 5-5-2 on the season.

CAPITALS STARTERS

Alex Ovechkin — Evgeny Kuznetsov — Conor Sheary
Marcus Johansson — Dylan Strome — Anthony Mantha
Connor McMichael — Lars Eller — Aliaksei Protas
Joe Snively — Nic Dowd — Garnet Hathaway

Dmitry Orlov — Trevor Van Riemsdyk
Martin Fehervary — Nick Jensen
Erik Gustafsson — Matt Irwin

Darcy Kuemper
Charlie Lindgren

Scratches: Sonny Milano, Garrett Pilon and Lucas Johansen
Injuries: Nicklas Backstrom, Tom Wilson, John Carlson, T.J. Oshie, Beck Malenstyn, Connor Brown

FIRST PERIOD

The Capitals and Red Wings skated to a scoreless draw in the first frame, with shots on goal tied 9-9. Capitals led in shot attempts, 18-11 and scoring chances, 10-3.

Both teams were 0 for 1 on the power play.

The Capitals 3rd and 4th lines led the way in the first frame, with the 4th line leading all lines

SECOND PERIOD

The Capitals opened the scoring with with a goal from Alex Ovechkin (6) at 7:11 of the middle frame. Evgeny Kuznetsov (7) had the lone assist. The goal was Ovechkin’s 786th career goal, tying Gordie Howe for most career goals with a single franchise.

No. 786 for Alex Ovechkin as he ties Gordie Howe for the most goals with one franchise.

Caps lead 1-0 pic.twitter.com/lyFnaLvI1H

— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) November 4, 2022

The goal also marked Ovechkin’s 400th career goal he has scored on the road, trailing only Wayne Gretzky (402) for the most in NHL history.

The Red Wings answered at 14:58 of the second period. Lucas Raymond notched his third tally of the season. Dominik Kubalik (8) and David Perron (2) had the helpers.

Lucas Raymond scores a power-play goal against the Washington Capitals to make it 1-1 #DETvsWSH #LGRW #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/7VwDPVB5aO

— nopClips (@nopClips) November 4, 2022

The Red Wings and Capitals were tied 1-1 after two periods. Caps led in SOG 15-9 in the middle frame and 24-18 after two periods. Capitals led in shot attempts, 14-11 in 2nd and 33-23 after 40 mins. Caps also lead in xGF 1.25 to .95 and faceoffs, 58-42

The expected goals for at even strength after two periods. [Click to enlarge]

THIRD PERIOD

The Capitals and Red Wings skated to a scoreless draw for a majority of the final frame before the Red Wings snagged their first lead of the evening. Andrew Copp (1) notched the go-ahead tally at 16:10 of the final frame. Adam Erne (4) and Dylan Larkin (7) had the helpers.

Andrew Copp sure picked a good time to score his first goal for the #RedWings!
@LGRW | @ThinkFordFirst @Copp94 pic.twitter.com/umQPys5iwg

— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) November 4, 2022

The Red Wings added an empty net goal for the 3-1 final.

The Capitals are back in action on Saturday when they host the Arizona Coyotes at Capital One Arena. Puck drop is set for 7PM.

SHAVINGS

• Alex Ovechkin scores his sixth goal of the season to put the Capitals ahead 1-0. With the goal, Ovechkin ties Gordie Howe (786g) for the most goals with one franchise in NHL history.
• The goal also marked Ovechkin’s 400th career goal he has scored on the road, trailing only Wayne Gretzky (402) for the most in NHL history.
• Alex Ovechkin’s second-period goal marked his first career goal against Ville Husso, the 161st goaltender Ovechkin has scored on in his career. In NHL history, 6,776 skaters have scored 161 or fewer goals in their career.
• Ovechkin’s 161 goaltenders scored on ranks fourth in NHL history, trailing only Jaromir Jagr (178), Patrick Marleau (177) and Mark Messier (164). Among these players, Marleau ranks first in NHL history in games played, Messier third and Jagr fourth. Ovechkin ranks 72nd.