Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin scored his 874th NHL goal at 3:07 of overtime to give the team a 1-0 win over the Ottawa Senators. The goal came on a 2-on-1 break and was assisted by Rasmus Sandin, as Ovechkin beat Leevi Merilainen’s blocker side with a snap shot from the top of the left circle.
Ovechkin is now just 21 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record. His achievement marks another milestone in his remarkable career, as he has scored against 179 different goaltenders. “I knew I should take a shot,” Ovechkin said after the game. “It was a good one, and it went in.”
In goal, Logan Thompson made 24 saves for his second straight shutout, helping Washington win their sixth game in their last nine contests. The Capitals are now 30-10-5 overall.
Thompson praised his teammates, saying the team “just survived” the game and was able to stay focused after being outshot 9-5 in the second period. Ovechkin also commended Thompson, calling him “unbelievable.” Merilainen, who stopped multiple chances for Washington, said he was impressed by his own performance.
The Capitals’ victory moves them closer to securing a playoff spot, while Ottawa remains competitive despite struggling with goaltending consistency.
Source: https://www.nhl.com/news/washington-capitals-ottawa-senators-game-recap-january-16