Ovechkin now has 19 consecutive 20-goal seasons while the Capitals are in a Wild Card spot after a 5-2 win over the Flames.
Just 10 days ago, playoffs didn't seem too likely for the Washington Capitals, who elected to sell off some assets and pass on adding at the trade deadline. But since then, Washington's clawed back into the picture with a vengeance and, on Monday, stole back a Wild Card spot.
Alex Ovechkin struck twice, Charlie Lindgren stood tall and the Capitals laid it all on the line en route to a 5-2 win over the Calgary Flames, pushing them back into postseason contention.
Here are all the takeaways from the victory, which puts D.C. at 75 points and one point ahead of the Detroit Red Wings for that second WC spot and just one point behind the Philadelphia Flyers for third in the Metropolitan Division.
Ovechkin Strikes Twice For More Milestones, Offense Breaks Out For Capitals
After a string of low-scoring games on this road trip for D.C., Washington's offense broke out against Calgary, and a lot of it is thanks to the captain.
Ovechkin struck twice on back-to-back power-play opportunities for D.C., giving him his 19th and 20th goals of the season. The 38-year-old now has 19 consecutive 20-goal seasons, the second-most in NHL history, and Dustin Wolf is also the 174th different goalie he's scored on. He is also the only player ever to start that streak from his rookie year, and he has never had less than 20 goals in a season.
He is also now at 843 career goals, moving him within 52 of passing Wayne Gretzky for the most in NHL history.
Washington's power play also now has goals in 10 of the last 12 games. Since Jan. 18, D.C. has the fourth-best power play in the league (27.9 percent).
The Russian wasn't the only one contributing on the night; Dylan Strome got things started in the first with his team-leading 23rd goal of the season and also had an assist, and Hendrix Lapierre net his eighth of the season in the second to restore his team's three-goal lead over the Flames going into the third.
Beyond the goals, the Capitals also spent a good amount of time on the forecheck and did a great job of sustaining pressure, and Tom Wilsons secured the win late with an empty netter for his second goal in as many games.
Lindgren Stands Tall Again To Help Capitals Secure Two Points
One of the big reasons for Washington's resurgence is Charlie Lindgren, and he stepped up once again on Monday en route to two huge points for D.C.
Making his ninth start in 10 games, Lindgren stopped 34 of 36 shots for the win and came up with quite a few big saves over the course of the night.
The 30-year-old was especially instrumental in the third as the Flames started to tilt the ice and work toward a comeback. Ultimately, he helped the Capitals hold on, and he also had some fun trying for the empty net.
Since March 1, Lindgren has boasted a .940 save percentage.
Sacrifice Plays Big Role Again As Capitals Pull Together To Grind Out Win
Up until the third, Washington did a decent job shutting down Calgary's top weapons while winning several puck battles and making smart decisions in all three zones.
And, when it mattered most, the players laid everything on the line, combining to block 22 total attempts.
Washington went 3-for-3 — including a huge kill near the end of the third with Nic Dowd in the box — on the PK and came up with some big blocks to keep Calgary off the board.
The fourth line was also instrumental for the Capitals, shutting down the Flames' top weapons and winning several puck battles. Beck Malenstyn and Nic Dowd were noticeable and getting to the right areas, and both also contributed to a strong night on the penalty kill.
Top Shelf Takes
- John Carlson led the team with four blocks and had two assists, and he also hit the 40-point mark.
- Tom Wilson had a multi-point outing and has five points in his last six games.
- Sonny Milano has 10 points in 13 games since returning from the upper-body injury that held him out for over two months.