Ovechkin Nears Record, but Hurricanes Dominate Caps to Clinch Playoff Spot
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Alex Ovechkin inched closer to history on Wednesday night, scoring his 892nd career goal—just three away from surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL record. However, the Carolina Hurricanes stole the show, as rookie Jackson Blake netted two goals to lead his team to a decisive 5-1 victory over the Washington Capitals, securing a playoff berth for the seventh consecutive season—tying a franchise record.
Logan Stankoven, Seth Jarvis, and Sean Walker also found the back of the net for Carolina, while goaltender Frederik Andersen delivered another stellar performance, stopping 20 of 21 shots to earn his seventh straight win. Ovechkin’s goal came late in the second period on a 5-on-3 power play, cutting the deficit to 4-1. He now has 17 goals in his last 25 games, bringing his season total to 39.
Washington’s starting goalie, Logan Thompson, surrendered three goals in the opening period before exiting at intermission with an upper-body injury. Charlie Lindgren stepped in for relief, making 17 saves.
Key Takeaways
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Capitals: Washington, playing the second half of a back-to-back with a playoff spot already secured, appeared sluggish. With little to play for outside of Ovechkin’s chase for history, the bigger concern is Thompson’s health with seven games left in the regular season.
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Hurricanes: Jarvis reached the 30-goal mark for the second straight season, while Blake has now scored three goals in his last three games after just one in his previous 25.
Key Moment
Jarvis’ power-play goal at 13:21 of the first period gave Carolina a commanding 3-0 lead. The one-timer from the left faceoff circle looked like a tribute to Ovechkin’s signature scoring style.
Key Stat
The game turned chippy late, with a staggering 142 penalty minutes handed out—122 of them coming in a chaotic third period filled with fights and post-whistle scrums.
What’s Next
The Capitals return home to host the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday, while the Hurricanes travel to Detroit that same night.