Ovi scores two late to lift Capitals
Alex Ovechkin shook off the kind of big hit he’s used to delivering and scored the kind of timely, clutch goals he has built his career on.
Ovechkin scored two rebound goals in the final seven minutes to give the Washington Capitals their seventh consecutive victory by coming back to beat the New York Rangers 2-1 on Friday night.
A hit from big Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren that leveled Ovechkin and broke his stick maybe only woke up one of hockey’s greatest goal-scorers, who again showed he can put the puck in the net every which way.
“Sometimes you have to get those really gritty ones,” Ovechkin said. “It’s still the same whether it’s goal from my spot or whatever. It’s most important goal, and it’ll take it.”
Ovechkin tied it with 6:42 left by poking a loose puck past goaltender Alexandar Georgiev and put the Capitals ahead on a nearly identical play with 3:33 remaining. He has scored in five in a row and has seven goals in the past seven games.
“He has a great determination to get to the front of the net and get the puck in,” said defenseman Justin Schultz, who took the initial shot that led to Ovechkin’s first goal. “He was huge for us tonight.”
Flames 4, Maples Leafs 3 — Mark Giordano broke a tie on a power play midway through the second period, Jacob Markstrom made 24 saves and Calgary beat slumping Toronto.
Matthew Tkachuk, Derek Ryan and Christopher Tanev also scored, and Rasmus Andersson had two assists. The Flames improved to 15-13-3, winning for the fourth time in five games since Darryl Sutter returned as coach after Geoff Ward was fired.
Mitch Marner, Jason Spezza and Alexander Kerfoot scored for Toronto, and Frederik Andersen stopped 14 shots.
The Maple Leafs, coming off a four-day break after dropping a pair last weekend, have lost six of seven to drop into a tie for the North Division lead with Edmonton. They had a nine-point division lead March 3.
The teams will complete the two-game set Saturday night.
Canucks 3, Canadiens 2 — J.T. Miller scored at 2:01 of overtime to lift Vancouver past Montreal for its fourth straight victory.
Miller scored his ninth of the season moments after Montreal’s Josh Anderson failed to convert a breakaway attempt.
Nick Suzuki forced overtime with a power-play goal with 57 seconds left in overtime with Montreal on a twoman advantage with goalie Jake Allen off for an extra attacker.
Adam Gaudette and Nils Hoglander scored in regulation for Vancouver, and Thatcher Demko stopped 29 shots for his eighth victory in nine starts.
Corey Perry also scored for Montreal. The Canadiens are 0-6 in overtime this season.
The teams will complete the two-game series Saturday night.