Washington faced Los Angeles after taking a two-game winning streak into the matchup, but the Capitals could not sustain the momentum. The scoring began in the middle of the second period when Rasmus Dahlin found the back of the net for Washington. Two minutes later, with effective passing from Vladislav Gavrikov, Kevin Fiala and Viktor Arvidsson, Los Angeles equalized and the tension rose as the scoreboard read 1-1. With under a half minute left in the second, Philippe Danault delivered a timely goal to put the Kings ahead before the period ended.
Alex Ovechkin remained a relentless presence on the ice. In the opening minutes of the third period, he used his signature power play approach to tie the game once more, firing a strong shot from mid range that found its mark. That goal marked the 36th of the current NHL regular season for the star winger, closing in on Wayne Gretzky’s storied all-time record by just 78 goals. The chase for Gretzky’s mark has become a central storyline for teams and fans alike, especially in markets across Canada and the United States where Ovechkin’s pursuit resonates deeply with hockey culture.
Several respected voices in the sport weigh in on the ongoing pursuit. Olympic champion, two-time world champion and multiple title winner Ilya Kovalchuk offered perspective after the game, noting the tough personal year for Ovechkin with the passing of his father, Mikhail. Kovalchuk emphasized the family strength behind any player stepping back onto the ice, reminding readers that life events can sharpen competitive focus. He also highlighted how a personal loss can become additional motivation for a veteran performer in a league that values resilience and leadership on and off the ice [attribution].
Meanwhile, goaltending duties for the Kings were handled by 31-year-old Phoenix Copley. Copley became the 169th NHL goalie to be credited with a goal against Ovechkin, a notable milestone in a career that has spanned countless memorable moments in the league. Historical context places such feats in the broader narrative of how elite scorers continue to test the boundaries of goaltending records in the modern era. Only two players have tallied more goals than goalies in league history: Jaromir Jagr and Patrik Marleau, underscoring the rare nature of these scoring milestones and the ongoing evolution of the goalie position within the NHL’s competitive landscape [citation].
Despite Ovechkin’s contributions, Washington could not pull ahead. Los Angeles answered with two additional goals, credited to Mikey Anderson and Adrian Kempe, sealing a 4-2 victory. The loss complicated Washington’s playoff push, leaving them three points shy of a guaranteed berth. The Capitals also face a tightening playoff race as direct competitors such as the Pittsburgh Penguins, Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators, and Florida Panthers hold games in hand that could alter the standings in the coming weeks. For fans in North America, the game offered a snapshot of how every point matters in a tight race, especially in a conference where rivals are pressing hard for a spot in the postseason.
Other NHL matches involving Russians
Not many Russian players were featured in the closing game slate of the regular season overall. The Vancouver Canucks edged the Nashville Predators 4-3 in a shootout, with Andrey Kuzmenko assisting Elias Pettersson to an early goal and Vasily Podkolzin netting the second marker to give them a late lead. Podkolzin opened the scoring and helped set the pace for a Canucks victory that kept Canadian road fans engaged as they watched the standings tighten heading into the postseason.
Nikolai Knyzhov, a defenseman for San Jose, returned to NHL action for the first time since May 2021, participating in the Jets versus Sharks tilt that finished 3-2 in overtime for Winnipeg. Knyzhov had missed significant time due to an Achilles injury in August 2022 and spent part of 2023 in the American Hockey League with the San Jose Barracuda to regain form. After the layoff, his return marked a notable moment for fans following Russian players making their way back to the main league after long dismissals due to injury and development curves, a storyline watched closely by Canadian and American audiences who follow player trajectories across leagues [citation].
In another matchup, the Dallas Stars hosted the Calgary Flames and fell 4-5. Russian forward Nikita Zadorov scored a PPG for the visiting team, with assists from Troy Stecher and Nazem Kadri. Dallas countered with no points from Evgeny Dadonov in the scoring column, a decision that underscored the tight nature of late-season results as teams jockey for playoff positions. These games combined illustrate the broader trend of Russian players contributing across rosters while teams in the United States and Canada chase critical points in the standings.