Avalanche vs. Capitals: Ovechkin Scores 1,000th Goal, Capitals Play Strong Game but Lose 2-3
The Colorado Avalanche took a tight 3-2 win over the Capitals in overtime, a game where Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin scored his 1,000th career combined goal, joining only the legendary Wayne Gretzky in NHL history. It was a strong performance for the Capitals, as the Avalanche is ranked first in the Central Division, and the Capitals are just sixth in the Metropolitan Division. Ovechkin and Justin Sourdif scored for the Capitals, while Gabriel Landeskog and Nicholas Roy of the Avalanche scored in regular time. Brock Nelson scored the game winner for the Avalanche in overtime.
First and Secon Period: Avalanche and Capitals Battle it Out
The Capitals knew they would have to play very well to keep the game close or eke out a win, and they generally played a tight game. The Avalanche approached the game as preparation for the NHL playoffs, for which they are in a comfortable qualification position.
The Capitals were the first team to score at 11:53 in the first period, with rookie Sourdif scoring off of an assist from Connor McMicheal. It was Sourdif’s 14th goal of the season, and one more would
The Washington team suffered a loss of a player in Ethen Frank in the first period, who collided with Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews and skated off with a reported lower-body injury that has yet to be determined. Late in the first period, Parker Kelly of the Avalanche got a 2-minute penalty for slashing, giving the Capitals a power play that they were unable to score on. The shots on goal were 8-6, Capitals, after the first period.
Colorado was stymied by Washington’s defense and goalie Logan Thompson, who’s been excellent the past few games. Neither team recorded many shots on goal throughout the game, with the home team taking 22 and the visiting team 24. The game was held at 1-0, Capitals, through the second period.
Ovechkin got 2 minutes in the penalty box for hooking, putting his team into a penalty kill. The Capitals successfully stopped Colorado from scoring. The home team had yet another power play when visitor Brent Burns received a 2-minute high-stick penalty, but instead Parker Kelly nearly scored for the Avalanche. The Capitals led shots on goal after the second period, 15-14.
The Avalanche and Capitals Tied after Period Three
Colorado broke through the Washington defense and Thompson in the third period, with Gabriel Landeskog scoring a little over a minute in, assisted by Martin Necas. The score was 1-1 until Roy got the puck in the goal after a Capitals turnover at 6:03, assisted by Zakhar Bardakov. Landeskog’s goal came after seven consecutive missed games due to a lower body injury, a great recovery for him.
The home team failed to capitalize on yet another power play soon after. Ovechkin came through for the Capitals at 14:17, scoring a historic goal, assisted by Dylan Strome and Cole Hutson. Hutson is a star rookie defenseman who now has his first NHL assist in what was an overall rough game for him. The goal came on a power play, giving the Capitals a 1-for-5 record on the game.
The Capitals led in shots, 22-21, at the end of regulation, and the game was forced into overtime.
Avalanche Wins in Overtime
The Avalanche didn’t take long to dominate overtime, getting off many shots. Thompson couldn’t stop Nelson from scoring 1:22 in, and the game was over, 3-2 to Colorado.
Capitals captain Ovechkin said that the team was relatively pleased after the game. “Obviously, it (stinks) that we lost, but right now every point, we’ll take it,” he told NHL.com. “We played one of the best teams in the League, and you can see that we fight and it was a tight game.”
Landeskog, the captain of the Avalanche, also said that he was happy with the game as preparation for the NHL playoffs. “We know how tight it’s going to be come the postseason. It’s not going to be 6-5 hockey games, so we’re going to have to check for our chances, and I thought we did that tonight.”
What’s Next
The Avalanche will play the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 24th, hoping to score more goals to pad their divisional lead, while the Capitals will begin a four-game road trip against the St. Louis Blues on March 24th.
