Connor McMichael Postgame WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin can't be stopped, and that was the theme once again as the Washington Capitals captain led a surge against the New Jersey Devils. Ovechkin and Connor McMichael each struck twice to power D.C. to a huge 6-2 win. Here are all the takeaways from the victory, which puts D.C. six points out of a playoff spot and keeps the Devils four points out. MCMICHAEL SPARKS CAPITALS FORECHECK The Capitals were looking to get offense going early and often in a critical showdown with the Devils, and McMichael was the one to step up. It took just 39 seconds for him to get his team on the board, as Rasmus Sandin fed Aliaksei Protas for a shot before McMichael crashed the net to bury the rebound. Then, in the second, with his team tied 1-1, McMichael won a battle for the loose puck with Tomas Nosek and toe-dragged past him before deking once more and beating a falling Nico Daws to make it 2-1. The highlight-reel play marked his fifth goal in seven career games against the Devils. Overall, the 22-year-old was solid at both ends of the ice and took on more minutes, with Nic Dowd suffering an injury earlier in the game. He was crucial on the penalty kill, and when he was on the ice, he helped drive offense. McMichael has five points in his last six games and continues to step into a bigger role with Evgeny Kuznetsov away from the team indefinitely. And with Dowd now dealing with an injury, seeing McMichael have a breakout night is promising for D.C. STROME, OVECHKIN STAY HOT & TEAM UP FOR INSURANCE GOALS, SGARBOSSA GETS FIRST UP WITH D.C. AS OFFENSE BUSTS OUT After McMichael gave the Capitals a 2-1 lead going into the third, the top line stepped up to provide insurance, with Alex Ovechkin remaining red-hot. First, Dylan Strome struck to make it 3-1 with his 21st of the season after he scored on his own rebound off a great feed from Ovechkin. Ovechkin extended his point streak to nine games with the assist, and Strome now has points in four of his last five outings overall. Minutes later, Ovechkin rifled home a shot off the face-off for his 15th goal of the season to put Washington up 4-1. Later in the period, Mike Sgarbossa crashed the crease and scored his first NHL goal since Dec. 17, 2021, to make it a 5-1 game. Then, on a late power play, Ovechkin tapped one in for his second goal of the game and 838th career goal. He has eight goals in his last eight games after managing just eight in the first 45 games of the season. Ovechkin needs only 57 more to pass Wayne Gretzky for the most in NHL history. It marked the first time in over a month that D.C. managed at least five goals in one game and the first time since October that they scored six in one night. LINDGREN, DEFENSE HOLD DOWN THE FORT Washington also got a big showing on the other side of the puck, as the defense and Charlie Lindgren did a great job of holding off the high-flying Devils. Lindgren had an impressive between the pipes, as he was cool and collected in the crease and moved confidently. He made some big stops early and often and finished the night with 37 saves on 39 shots with Jack Hughes, Tyler Toffoli and the Devils' high-octane offense lurking. After surrendering a tough goal against in the first, where Alexander Holtz went backdoor following a turnover in the defensive zone, the Capitals tightened up defensively, with players stepping up to block shots and Washington not giving up too many high-danger chances despite being outshot. The only other goal that came against was a late breakaway tally from Erik Haula on a miscue. CAPITALS LOSE DOWD TO INJURY The Capitals did suffer a setback, though, losing Dowd to an upper-body injury. It's unclear exactly what happened to the 33-year-old center, but his last shift came with just over two minutes left in the opening period. If Dowd's injury is serious, it's a major loss for the Capitals. He is one of their most reliable centers, playing a pivotal role on the powerhouse fourth line, taking numerous defensive zone face-offs and killing penalties. He was also said to be a potential trade chip if the team elects to sell ahead of the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline. TOP SHELF TAKES - Sonny Milano picked up an assist and now has points in back-to-back games since returning from an upper-body injury that held him out for over two months. - Aliaksei Protas had an assist and has three points in his last two games. - Max Pacioretty also has helpers in back-to-back games. - T.J. Oshie has five points in his last five outings.
