Alexander Ovechkin is the new runner-up on the NHL’s all-time top scorers list. After four games without scoring his own goal, the 37-year-old Russian scored twice in his Washington Capitals’ 4-1 home win on the evening before Christmas – and with it his NHL main round goals 801 and 802. The legend of the Washington Capitals was now able to beat Gordie Howe (801 career goals) and is now the direct pursuer of Wayne Gretzky, who has recorded 894 goals in his career. A brand that the right-hand shooter of the Caps would certainly like to trump as his NHL career progresses. “My family, my children, my friends – everyone was there. That was very emotional. Add to that the fans here at home – that was something special for me,” said Ovechkin after the game about his historic moment. For Washington, the 4-1 win over Winnipeg was the fourth win in a row and the ninth in the last ten Play – the team from the capital is fighting its way closer to the top flight of the Metropolitan Division after a moderate start to the season.
Also on the road to success are the Carolina Hurricanes and the Boston Bruins. The Canes conceded three goals in the final period, but held on to their advantage over Philadelphia and gifted their fans with a 6-5 win before Christmas Eve and their eighth win in a row. It was also close in the top game in New Jersey, where the guests from Boston ultimately prevailed 4:3 thanks to a brace from David Pastrnak and four goals in the second half. For the Devils, who are still second in the Metropolitan Division, it was their seventh loss in their last ten games.
Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers, who lost 5-1 at the New York Islanders, are heading further and further towards the bottom of the table. Last season’s top East side lost seven of their last ten games and are now just three points ahead of Atlantic Division bottom Ottawa. In the duel between the crisis teams from Chicago and Columbus, the Blackhawks prevailed 5:2 and thus ended their ongoing losing streak – the Blue Jackets, on the other hand, now have six bankruptcies in a row. The Edmonton Oilers couldn’t give their fans an early Christmas present: Despite a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes (an assist from Leon Draisaitl), the Oilers still lost their home game against Vancouver by 2:5.
On December 24th, 25th and 26th there are no games scheduled in the best ice hockey league in the world. The full NHL program continues on December 27th in the night from Tuesday to Wednesday.
Sebastian Gross
The games at a glance:
Carolina – Philadelphia 6:5 (3:1, 3:1, 0:3)
New Jersey – Boston 3:4 (1:0, 0:4, 2:0)
Washington – Winnipeg 4:1 (1:0, 1:0, 2:1)
N.Y. Islanders – Florida 5:1 (0:1, 2:0, 3:0)
Dallas – Montreal 4:2 (0:1, 1:1, 3:0)
Nashville – Colorado 2:3 nV (1:0, 1:1, 0:1, 0:1)
Chicago – Columbus 5:2 (2:0, 2:1, 1:1)
Edmonton – Vancouver 2:5 (2:0, 0:2, 0:3)
Arizona – Los Angeles 2:1 nP
Vegas – St. Louis 5:4 n.P. (1:0, 2:3, 1:1, 0:0, 1:0)
Anaheim – Calgary 2:3 (1:1, 0:1, 1:0, 0:1)