Alex Ovechkin scored three goals against the Vegas Golden Knights, leading the Washington Capitals to a 5-2 win on Sunday night.
With the Capitals up 3-2 at the 11:45 mark of the period, Ovechkin backchecked and lifted Ivan Barbashev’s stick to prevent what would have been an easy game-tying marker for the Russian forward.
The play kept Washington in front and set the stage for Ovechkin to put the team ahead by two goals just 5:53 later in the second. He would complete his hat trick with an empty netter, the lone goal in the third period.
“It kind of happened so quick, and I think [Barbashev] didn’t even know the puck went through LT’s legs,” Ovechkin said. “I was kind of surprised. It was luck. Luck was on our side in that moment.”
Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery was impressed by his team’s overall defensive effort but also singled out Ovechkin’s big stop. “Yeah, that was a huge defensive play,” he said.
Sunday night’s effort in his own zone wasn’t the first time this season that Ovechkin has shown off the defensive side of his game. In a November 7 win over the Nashville Predators, Ovechkin blocked multiple shots to keep his team in front and earn a 3-2 victory.
“Selke, I need it,” Ovechkin joked then.
He also made an impressive race back into Washington’s zone against the Columbus Blue Jackets at the beginning of the month. His near full-rink dash, with the Capitals already up 6-2 in the third period, broke up an odd-man rush opportunity for Cole Sillinger.
So, not only is the 39-year-old winger at the front of the NHL pack in goal scoring, but he’s also turning up in other areas to help the Capitals win.
