Washington Capitals 4-1 Seattle Kraken
The Washington Capitals have yet to showcase a standout season. Capital form has been uneven, featuring a mix of big wins and tough losses, and while captain Alex Ovechkin keeps chasing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time scoring mark, a clear pace hasn’t emerged. Still, the win over Seattle holds value for Washington, extending a three-game winning streak for the first time this season.
Ovechkin has produced four points across the last two outings, notching a two-goal effort against Philadelphia two nights earlier and adding a goal and an assist against the Kraken.
In Seattle, Washington started on the back foot as Adam Larsson opened the scoring in the 18th minute. The Capitals answered in the second period when Anthony Mantha found the net, with Alexander Alexeev earning an assist. Alexeev, who appeared in just one game for Washington last season without a point, recorded his fifth appearance of the season and his first NHL point. His night, however, ended prematurely after a hard check from Jamie Oleksiak, limiting his remaining time on the ice and leaving Oleksiak with a penalty that softened the defeat for Seattle.
Washington continued to push, with Ovechkin tied the score eight minutes later thanks to a goal set up by Marcus Johansson. As the period wore on, the Capitals topped the tally by scoring twice more on empty nets — first Lars Eller, then Ovechkin, widened the gap after the final horn sounded.
Here are some notable statistics from the night. Ovechkin’s marker against Seattle moved him closer to Gretzky in the race for most empty-net goals, though the tally reflected opportunities that arose in the late stages rather than pure breakaway speed.
At 56 career empty-net goals, the Russian legend trails Canadian goals in that specific stat by a slim margin, with Ovechkin currently at 52. A colleague noted that while 52 is impressive, true snipers excel with timing and placement, not just numbers. The focus remains on consistency and situational awareness in the right moments. The sentiment from Eller underscores a shared respect for Ovechkin’s pursuit of historical milestones. These reflections were reported by NHL sources.
In the broader context of the league’s history, Ovechkin sits five goals behind Gordie Howe, who held 801 goals as one of the all-time leaders. Gretzky continues to lead the pack with 894 goals, leaving a gap of 98 goals at this stage of the chase.
Another observation came from a recent analysis by Ian Oland, suggesting that if Ovechkin keeps scoring at roughly a 16-goal pace over 29 games, he could finish the season with around 44 goals. While individual season totals vary, projections point to a plausible total near the club’s recent benchmarks. Gretzky remains the ceiling for career goals, with a substantial gap ahead, and Ovechkin’s remaining years with Washington are enough to keep the discussion alive.
Celebrating milestones, the Seattle contest also marked Ovechkin’s 500th goal in even-strength play, an achievement that places him among a select group of league players who have reached similar marks in the modern era. Only a few legends have reached more such tallies in the same era, reflecting the longevity and consistency of the Capitals captain.
Colorado Avalanche – New York Rangers – 1:2 B
The Denver game pitted the Avalanche against the Rangers in a clash that tested both teams. Just before the midpoint of the second period, Artemi Panarin assisted Braden Schneider for the guests, delivering the only two goals seen in regulation between the clubs.
The decision required a shootout, where Panarin delivered the decisive moment for New York. When asked about the decisive goal, Panarin quipped that his aim on the shootout was to keep the opponent guessing about his next move, a sentiment shared with reporters after the match.
Both teams benefited from standout goaltending from their Russian netminders — Igor Shesterkin for New York and Alexandr Georgiev for Colorado — who earned top-three spots in the game’s star rankings. Shesterkin turned aside 41 shots, while Georgiev stopped 28.
Edmonton Oilers 5-2 Minnesota Wild
In an Edmonton visit that proved challenging, the visiting Wild fought back after early missteps, with Kirill Kaprizov contributing an assist that extended his personal run. Edmonton ultimately seized control, though Minnesota’s bid remained competitive until the final horn.
Kaprizov’s stat line improved with the assist, extending a personal streak. Observers highlighted his role as a stabilizing force that keeps the Wild competitive, with the scoring run noted as a club record for the timeframe. The on-ice confrontation involving Marc-Andre Fleury and Leon Draisaitl drew quick penalties from officials, and order was restored after the flare-up.
Buffalo Sabres – Pittsburgh Penguins – 3:4 Overtime
Pittsburgh overcame Buffalo on the road, extending a four-game winning streak. Evgeni Malkin contributed two assists, including setting up Jeff Carter’s overtime winner. Malkin has tallied 27 points through 27 games, underscoring his continued influence for the Penguins.
New Jersey Devils 4-6 New York Islanders
In a high-scoring affair, Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov stood out with two assists to help seal the win. Midway through the second period, Romanov was penalized for instigating a fight, while Michael McLeod answered with a five-minute call, reflecting a period of physical tension between the teams. The two clubs exchanged blows as the clock wore down, leaving the scoreline tight through much of the game.