Marcus Johansson scored a spot-on goal in overtime as the Washington Capitals clinched a 3-2 win over the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Center on Thursday.
• Also read: Ice Hockey Canada: Cassie Campbell has the voice of Caroline Ouellette in the new CA
• Also read: The Canadian’s plane landed due to Mother Nature and a mechanical breakdown
The 32-year-old offered his ninth win in 10 games.
It’s not a lack of effort, but Alexander Ovechkin hasn’t netted in his last four games. He still had two assists against the Senators and set a National Hockey League (NHL) record by recording a 6,211. shot into the opposing net.
Still chasing his 801st career goal, the Russian had a goal ‘stolen’ from teammate Sonny Milano. As the puck quietly moved behind the red line on an Ovechkin shot, the former Anaheim Ducks hit the puck.
For his part, Tim Stutzle provided an assist on his return to the game, he who had missed the last four games, in Drake Batherson’s third period.
It was Alex DeBrincat who had offered his team the lead. Evgeny Kuznetsov added Washington’s other net to his tally.
Kaapo Kakko, the hero
In the Madison Square Guardian, the Rangers won the final round of the 2022-23 Battle of New York season by beating the Islanders 5-3 thanks to Kaapo Kakko’s game-winning goal.
The Isles had emerged victorious from their first two encounters earlier this year, and this is already the last head-to-head between the Big Apple’s two formations.
Kakko ensured this saga ended with an exclamation point by completing the beautiful entry into Alexis Lafrenière and K’Andre Miller’s territory. With just under three minutes to go, Rangers took the lead.
On the backhand, former Montreal Canadiens defenseman Alexander Romanov scored his first goal in an Islanders jersey.
Jacob Slavin is making a comeback
In Pittsburgh, the Carolina Hurricanes fell behind in the third period and defeated the Penguins 4-3 in overtime thanks to defenseman Jaccob Slavin.
With five minutes to go it was Jordan Staal who sent everyone into overtime with a spinner behind the net that passed Pens goalkeeper Tristan Jarry. In overtime, Slavin completed an excellent game initiated by Seth Jarvis and Brent Burns to beat Tristan Jarry from close range.
For his part, Bryan Rust scored late in the third period and certainly thought he was credited with the winner. Sidney Crosby opened the scoring and came in 20th this year.
The answer from the canes came from Martin Necas’ hive in the second third. Less than 15 seconds later, Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield imitated Canadiens forward Anthony Richard and scored his first NHL goal at the age of 26.
A mistake costs the Jets dearly
In Boston, a bizarre goal in the second period helped the Bruins beat the Winnipeg Jets 3-2.
Trailing 2-0, the “Oursons” equalized in the second half with two quick victories. David Pastrnak scored one of the easiest goals of his career for the first time. A clearance from Nick Foligno bounced off the metal walls of the bay window before landing in front of the cage vacated by Connor Hellebuyck. The Czech just had to push the puck into the ropes.
Jake DeBrusk deftly parried a power play throw-in from Pastrnak to equalize. At the same time he reached the plateau of 200 points in the National League.
Foligno scored the winner midway through the third period.
Despite everything, Hellebuyck did well with 36 saves. His teammates Mark Scheifele and Jansen Harkins hit the target.