Washington Capitals 1-2 Dallas Stars
After Alexander Ovechkin delivered a spectacular hat-trick in the previous game, a performance that reminded fans of Gordie Howe reaching another milestone, Washington hoped for a similar highlight at home, in the arena.
Before the Dallas game began, it was announced that Ovechkin had reached 800 career goals, and the crowd rose in a standing ovation for the Russian superstar.
In this contest, however, the Caps captain did not light up the scoresheet. He snapped a four-game goal streak yet managed an assist on Conor Sheary’s play. The result did not swing in Washington’s favor, as they fell to Dallas and halted a five-game winning run.
“We’re here to win. Ovi is chasing goals, and we all want to be the first to congratulate him. We’re incredibly proud of him,” said Capitals forward TJ Oshie.
“But the moment didn’t arrive today. We will stay focused on winning as a team and continue to push toward that goal.”
The Gordie Howe pursuit is paused for now, at least until the next game. Howe sits second on the all-time goals list with 801. Ovechkin, who admires the hockey legend, spoke with respect about Howe and his love for the game.
That passion shows how sport thrives on dedication, and Howe’s career, which extended to age 52, remains a benchmark for many players. Ovechkin’s admiration is echoed by his official site and by the broader hockey community.
Even without a goal, Ovechkin’s impact was clear in the assist on Dallas that marked his 645th helper in the league. That pass places him at 70th on the all-time NHL assists list, demonstrating his continued influence in the game.
Florida Panthers 2-4 Pittsburgh Penguins
In a contrasting moment to the Capitals affair, Evgeni Malkin contributed to a Penguins victory that extended their winning streak to seven games, though his goal came in a tricky fashion.
Following a powerful horizontal cross from Sidney Crosby, the puck deflected off Malkin’s skate and into the net, a bizarre sequence that left the Russian veteran down on the ice as teammates rushed to assist.
His teammates offered immediate support, and Malkin departed the ice with help. The severity of the injury warranted further evaluation.
Crosby reflected on the event: “It’s tough to see a teammate go down like that. We’ve faced similar moments before, and we hope for the best.” Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan noted that the team does not expect a long absence for Malkin.
“It’s an unusual way to score, but a good result for the team. The initial prognosis looks positive, which is encouraging,” Sullivan stated.
Despite the night not unfolding as hoped for Malkin, his all-around contribution did not go unnoticed. He added an assist on Jake Guentzel’s goal and earned praise as a standout performer of the game. He remains two points shy of Sergei Fedorov on the list of top Russian scorers in league history. Malkin has 1177 points in 1011 games, while Fedorov has 1179 in 1248 games, with Ovechkin leading the chart at 1445.
Tampa Bay Lightning 4-1 Columbus Jackets
Texas-sized offense came early and often as the Lightning navigated Columbus with little trouble. The Russian contingent played a key role in every goal, contributing to a quartet on the scoresheet.
In the fourth minute, Pierre-Edouard Bellemare opened the scoring with an assist from Vladislav Namestnikov. Early in the second, Columbus’s Kirill Marchenko knocked one past his own goalie, briefly narrowing the gap, but the Lightning quickly steadied the ship and extended the lead.
Before the final whistle, Yanni Gourde, Brandon Hagel, and Braden Point added goals, each setup by Nikita Kucherov. The scoring support cemented Kucherov’s place as a key playmaker, and he earned third star honors for the game while lifting his assist total to 34 on the season.
Kucherov also pressed the attack against Columbus goalie Daniil Tarasov, who turned aside many attempts with 25 saves. Tarasov’s performance showcased the depth and resilience of Columbus’s netminders.
Edmonton Oilers – St. Louis Blues – 3:4 (OT)
The Blues faced a stern test on the road against Edmonton, led by Connor McDavid. St. Louis trailed 1–3, but Robert Thomas pulled one back in the 52nd minute and Vladimir Tarasenko sealed the game late in regulation, forcing a shootout. The Blues converted in overtime to claim the win.
Tarasenko’s late heroics were supported by other St. Louis players who contributed assists, including Pavel Buchnevich and Ivan Barbashev, who tallied points on the night.
Carolina Hurricanes 3-2 Seattle Kraken
Carolina controlled much of the game on home ice, with Andrey Svechnikov starting the scoring tally. The Hurricanes built a 3–0 lead before Seattle mounted a late push to make the finish tense.
Ryan Donato brightened the Kraken’s prospects with a 32nd-minute strike that sparked a tight finish. The match also interrupted Petr Kochetkov’s impressive goaltending shutout streak, which had reached 151 minutes and 26 seconds.
For Carolina, the performance stood out as a milestone for their rookie goalie, marking a significant moment in the club’s goaltending history.