COLUMBUS – Washington Capitals’ star Alex Ovechkin snapped his 14-game goal drought in spectacular fashion, scoring the game-winning power-play goal in a 3-2 overtime victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on Thursday. This decisive goal from Ovechkin, a critical strike from the left circle, marked his first since November 18 and ended the longest goal drought of his illustrious NHL career.
“Finally, it’s over. It was a tough period, but you have to keep pushing,” Ovechkin reflected on ending his drought. He acknowledged the good chances he had earlier in the game and the importance of perseverance.
Anthony Mantha’s two goals and John Carlson’s three assists also played a vital role in the Capitals’ (17-9-4) triumph, securing their third consecutive win. Goaltender Charlie Lindgren’s impressive 34 saves further bolstered Washington’s defense. This victory continued the Capitals’ remarkable streak of success in back-to-back games, maintaining a perfect 6-0-0 record in such scenarios this season.
Capitals coach Spencer Carbery praised the team’s effort, particularly in overcoming the fatigue of back-to-back games. “This was one of our toughest challenges, but we found a way to fight through,” Carbery said, highlighting the team’s determination and resilience.
The Blue Jackets (11-17-6), displaying a mix of victories and losses in their recent games, saw Yegor Chinakhov and Cole Sillinger scoring their goals. Goalie Elvis Merzlikins made 29 saves but was a pivotal figure in the game’s climax.
In an intense overtime, Merzlikins was penalized for roughing against Tom Wilson, leading to the decisive power play for Washington. Capitals’ Carbery noted the significance of Wilson’s composure during this critical moment, which ultimately led to Ovechkin’s game-winning goal.
Mantha opened the scoring for the Capitals late in the first period with a power-play goal, redirecting a shot by Ovechkin. Sillinger responded for Columbus in the second period, tying the game with a deflected shot. Mantha’s second goal, coming from the slot on an assist from Aliaksei Protas, regained the lead for Washington. However, Chinakhov’s equalizer for the Blue Jackets in the third period sent the game into overtime.
Merzlikins’ crucial save attempts during the final power play set the stage for Ovechkin’s winning goal, his sixth of the season. This goal elevated Ovechkin’s career goal count to 828, joining Wayne Gretzky as only the second player in NHL history with 900 combined regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs goals.
Blue Jackets coach Pascal Vincent expressed disappointment over Merzlikins’ penalty in overtime, acknowledging its impact on the game’s outcome. “We played a solid game, but we let emotions get the better of us at a crucial moment,” Vincent said, stressing the need for emotional control in such high-pressure situations.
Notably, Ovechkin’s goal marked his 135th career game-winning goal across regular seasons and playoffs, surpassing Brett Hull for second-most in NHL history. The Capitals’ victory was underscored by their recent scoring surge, with 18 goals in their last three games, demonstrating their offensive prowess.
As the Capitals celebrate this hard-fought win, Ovechkin’s return to scoring form serves as a significant boost for the team, setting an optimistic tone for their upcoming fixtures.
