Washington Capitals’ superstar Alex Ovechkin had a bittersweet night in their 6-2 victory against Utah as he scored two goals but had to leave the game due to a lower body injury. Ovechkin’s goals brought his career total to 868, inching closer to Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL record of 894 goals. Capitals’ coach Spencer Carbery mentioned that Ovechkin was undergoing evaluation post-game, and his condition would be clearer by the following day.
The injury occurred during Ovechkin’s last shift in the third period when he collided with Utah’s Jack McBain as they both went after a loose puck. The impact on their left knees caused Ovechkin to slide on the ice in pain before being assisted to the bench. Despite the accidental nature of the collision, Capitals’ forward Tom Wilson took offense and engaged in a fight with McBain later in the game.
Ovechkin’s performance on the ice has been stellar this season, with his two goals against Utah marking his 14th and 15th goals of the year. This surge in scoring has placed him at the top of the NHL goal-scoring chart, a position he hasn’t held since January 2022. In addition to his goal-scoring prowess, Ovechkin achieved a milestone by becoming the player with the highest number of multigoal road games in NHL history, reaching 100 such games.
The Capitals’ goalie, Charlie Lindgren, expressed admiration for Ovechkin’s leadership and performance, stating that the team heavily relies on their captain for inspiration and crucial plays. Ovechkin’s first goal of the game against Utah also etched his name in the record books as he joined Jaromir Jagr by scoring on 178 different goaltenders throughout his career, a testament to his offensive capabilities.
Despite Ovechkin’s injury, the Capitals continue to perform well in the Eastern Conference, boasting the second-highest points percentage at .750. Ovechkin’s absence from the lineup due to injury will undoubtedly be felt by the team, but his remarkable contributions and determination on the ice serve as a driving force for Washington’s success this season. As the Capitals await further updates on Ovechkin’s condition, the team remains optimistic about their prospects moving forward in the league.