The Washington Capitals faced a stubborn challenge from the Ottawa Senators, a team pursuing a playoff berth and riding momentum from a three-game winning streak. The game stayed tight through 60 minutes, with Washington being shut out in regulation for only the second time this season. Ottawa pressed hard, exchanging chances and keeping the Capitals hemmed in, but the goaltending duel remained stalemated until the overtime period arrived. In the fourth minute of overtime, Alexander Ovechkin unlocked the deadlock and propelled Washington to a hard-earned win. The 39-year-old Russian sniped a wrist shot from the left faceoff circle after a counterattack, and the puck flashed past the goalie to seal a 1-0 victory.
“I knew I had to shoot as fast as possible because the goalie would be expecting a pass back to Sandin”, Ovechkin said after the game [NHL Official Website]. “It was a good shot and the puck went in, so I’m happy.”
The result moved Washington further ahead in the standings, reinforcing its top position in the NHL Eastern Conference with 65 points from 45 games played.
Gretzky’s record is 20 goals away
Ovechkin’s overtime tally marked his 874th career goal, placing him within 20 goals of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time mark of 894. The Russian captain was quick to acknowledge teammates and the way the game unfolded, noting the Capitals benefited from a strong defensive effort in front of their netminder Logan Thompson, who kept Ottawa off the scoresheet through regulation and overtime. Ovechkin praised Thompson’s performance, saying that the goalie was superb across all three periods and in overtime, and that Washington found openings in the third period that ultimately produced the decisive moment [NHL Official Website].
“Logan was incredible today. He had a great performance in all three periods and overtime. We found many positions in the third period, and it built up until we finally scored”, the Russian added.
Ovechkin’s new records
Merilainen, Ottawa’s goalie, became the 179th NHL goaltender to concede a goal to Ovechkin, extending a growing list of opponents he has defeated. With this milestone, Ovechkin edged past Jaromir Jagr’s previous benchmark of 178 different goaltenders who had tasted his goals. In addition, the Capitals’ captain set a new NHL record for overtime goals in away games, reaching 13 on road ice. He now sits ahead of Jagr and John Tavares, who each had 12 road overtime goals. Ovechkin also increased the league’s overtime goal total to 27, with Sidney Crosby next closest at 22. It’s also noted that the Russian’s decisive tallies have come on 134 occasions for Washington, a figure that keeps him just shy of Jagr’s franchise record of 135 game-winning goals.
These milestones underscore the breadth of Ovechkin’s impact and his continued ability to deliver when it matters most, especially in the later stages of games played away from home.
“Ovechkin plays for Washington, not Russia”
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman addressed questions about whether current political tensions could influence the pursuit of Gretzky’s record. He stated clearly that Ovechkin plays for the Washington Capitals, not for any country, and that the achievement is personal for the player and for the franchise [NHL Official Website].
Head coach Spencer Carbery offered wide praise for his captain after the Ottawa matchup, highlighting the consistency and scoring versatility that have defined Ovechkin’s long career. “We keep checking off boxes of what makes him special. He scores against different goaltenders, in different arenas, and against every opponent”, Carbery was quoted as saying [NHL Official Website].
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