Topping Jagr mark elusive for Ovechkin
Alex Ovechkin will get another chance at a landmark goal when the never-say-die Washington Capitals host the New York Islanders on Tuesday night.
Ovechkin has no goals over his last two games, keeping his career total at 766 goals and tied with Jaromir Jagr for third place on the NHL'S alltime goals list. Ovechkin also is tied with Brett Hull for 23rd place on the all-time points list (1,391).
While Ovechkin undoubtedly would love to achieve new milestones on home ice, his first focus is on securing another victory for the rolling Capitals.
Washington is 4-0-1 over its last five games, bringing the team within five points of the New York Rangers for third place in the Metropolitan Division.
The Capitals are returning home after a three-game trip that saw them trail in the third period of all three contests. Still, the Capitals recorded five of a possible six points, including a 4-3 overtime win Friday over the Vancouver Canucks.
Vancouver took the lead after scoring all three of its goals in the first five minutes of the final period, but Evgeny Kuznetsov later collected the equalizer for Washington. Lars Eller sealed the victory with the overtime winner.
Friday's game “got muddled up a little bit” at the beginning of the third period, Capitals coach Peter Laviolette said. “But when that did happen, again to push back the way we have in a couple of games here has been really good. (The) guys are just not stopping.”
Kuznetsov's second career hat trick gave the forward seven points (four goals, three assists) over a five-game points streak.
The Islanders are coming off a gritty victory of their own, extending their winning streak to three games with Sunday's 4-3 decision over the Anaheim Ducks. Though Anaheim outshot New York 42-29, the Islanders held on for the type of tight win that often has eluded the club this season.