Washington is desperately seeking a playoff spot. Before the match against the Lightning, the capital team was six points away from eighth place and was not even the main contender for this position.
Tampa had already settled into the playoff zone, but its position was very unstable. The advantage is only five points, despite the Lightning playing several more games than their rivals. Rayo also had to win.
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However, Washington opened the scoring. And how! Nicolas Aube-Kubel, in a fight, took the puck from his opponent, played with the boards, broke free from the defense, approached the goal and “shot” Andrei Vasilevsky with a clumsy shot. In the third minute, the capitalians took the lead.
You can watch the video on the official NHL website. Video rights belong to NHL Enterprises, LP.
The capitalians scored their second goal in the 17th minute. It was controversial. Tom Wilson hit Haydn Fleury hard in the opposite zone and the defender fell to the ice. The referees did not stop play, the Canadian passed the ball to Connor McMichael and the forward sent the puck into the near corner of Vasya’s goal with his second touch. 2:0!
You can watch the video on the official NHL website. Video rights belong to NHL Enterprises, LP.
In the 30th minute, Tampa pulled one goal back. Nikita Kucherov passed the ball to the left flank, Brayden Point rolled Brandon Hagel under the throw-in – 1:2!
You can watch the video on the official NHL website. Video rights belong to NHL Enterprises, LP.
For Kuch, this point was already number 95 (36+59) of the season.
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The “lightning” could not rejoice for long. Three minutes later, TJ Oshie and Dylan Strome played great defense, stole the puck, the latter ran onto a three-on-two fast break and made a crossover pass to Anthony Mantha. A touch-and-go shot and 3:1 on the scoreboard.
You can watch the video on the official NHL website. Video rights belong to NHL Enterprises, LP.
The main action, however, took place in the third period.
In the 43rd minute, Nick Paul received a pass in the middle zone, suddenly ran down the right flank and, pushing Ethan Beer, ran into the patch. Throw in the opposite direction under the crossbar – 2:3.
You can watch the video on the official NHL website. Video rights belong to NHL Enterprises, LP.
Just 24 seconds later, Tampa tied it! Nick Perbix stole the puck in the opponent’s zone, Tyler Mott entered the goal and shot with precision: 3:3!
You can watch the video on the official NHL website. Video rights belong to NHL Enterprises, LP.
20 seconds passed and Washington scored again! Strome put his cane in the predicament… But it wasn’t like that! A request from the coach and the referees annulled the goal due to offside when entering the area.
But the “capitals” could no longer be stopped. In the 56th minute, Alexei Protas went behind the Tampa goal and passed the ball to Rasmus Sandin, the defender took aim (he had plenty of time) and hit Vasilevsky for the fourth time in the match. He shoots right under the goalkeeper’s trap!
You can watch the video on the official NHL website. Video rights belong to NHL Enterprises, LP.
And 62 seconds before the end of the period, what many fans were waiting for happened.
“Tampa” took out the goalkeeper and entrenched themselves in the opposite zone. However, Wilson, being the first to grab the rebound, passed it to Alexander Ovechkin, who lofted the puck between Victor Hedman’s legs and sent McMichael into the contest with an empty net. 5:3! Even the rush of Kucherov, who tried to stop Connor, did not help.
You can watch the video on the official NHL website. Video rights belong to NHL Enterprises, LP.
Ovechkin, 38, scored a spectacular performance in his 10th straight game. For the first time in almost six years, since 2018! Alexander scored his 41st point (16 + 25) in the 52nd game of the season (1,527 in his career) and reduced the gap with Paul Coffey on the list of top scorers in history to four points.
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Additionally, Ovi became the first NHL player in the last 10 years over the age of 38 with a 10-consecutive hitting streak. In the 2013/2014 campaign, legendary Canadian forward Martin Saint-Louis scored points in 10 consecutive games. Also in the same age category, Dave Keon (1979/1980), Brett Hull (2002/2003) and Sergei Gonchar (2012/2013) showed a 10-game scoring streak.
The best NHL record in the last 50 years, by the way, belongs to Hull himself (12 games in the 2003/2004 season). Nicklas Lidstrom (2010/2011), Steve Yzerman (2005/2006), Adam Oates twice (2000/2001, 2001/2002) and Phil Esposito (1979/1980) scored points in 11 consecutive games.
For Ovechkin, the assist was the 689th of his NHL career, moving him into clear 64th place in league history, surpassing Henri Richard (688). The next benchmark for Ovechkin is now the result of Sergei Fedorov (696). The former Capitals and Red Wings forward ranks 63rd in NHL history and second among Russians, trailing only Evgeni Malkin (785) on this list.
“Ovechkin on steroids!” — this is how one of the fans described the game of the Washington captain.
Thus, Ovechkin continued his search for history. And Washington unexpectedly beat Tampa and took ninth place in the conference! In terms of points lost, the capital is even ahead of the Lightning and is now one of the favorites for a playoff spot.
