Alex Ovechkin further reduced the gap with Wayne Gretzky by reaching 884 career goals in the NHL on Saturday, but his Washington Capitals still have work to do as the Tampa Bay Lightning handed them a third consecutive loss.
Ovechkin, 39, scored his 31st goal in the 2024-25 NHL season with four minutes left in the third period to pull one back for the Capitals. The Lightning, however, ended up winning 3-1 with an empty netter in the final minute.
Speaking to the media after the game, Ovechkin made it clear to his teammates that he was satisfied with their performance. The Capitals star, however, also let them know that they must respond soon.
“I don’t think we played bad this game,” Ovechkin said, via NHL.com. “We just have to bounce back right away. Next game, we just have to respond.”
Ovechkin, Capitals looking to bounce back fast
The Capitals came from losing to the Calgary Flames and St. Louis Blues, yet they continue to control the Metropolitan Division with 84 points, 12 clear of the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils. Only the Winnipeg Jets (88), who are in the Western Conference, have more points than Ovechkin’s team in the 2024-25 NHL season.
Washington will be looking to bounce back on Monday, March 3, when it welcomes Brady Tkachuk and the Ottawa Senators to the Capital One Arena at 6:30 PM (ET). The Senators come from ending a five-game losing streak by beating the San Jose Sharks 5-3 on Saturday.
Ovechkin continues to score
Ovechkin, meanwhile, continues to chase the NHL goals record set by Gretzky. The veteran forward is just 10 goals away from tying The Great One and 11 away from surpassing his historic mark. With 22 games left in the season, chances are that we’ll witness history soon.
“He’s finishing at a real high rate coming out of the break,” Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said of Ovechkin. “And I think his play and chemistry and the whole product of our group, whether that’s his line or the power play, will continue to improve.”