Washington Capitals: Top 10 best playoff moments in team history

#6 Dueling hat tricks

In 2009, the rivalry between Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby went to new heights when the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins renewed their playoff rivalry in the second round. In Game 2, both players rose to the occasion and each scored three goals.

After Ovechkin tied the game early in the second period, he fueled a Capitals comeback by completing his hat trick with two goals in the span of 2:29 in the third period. He scored on the power play at 12:53 to put the Caps ahead. Then he shot through a screen as the puck flew over the glove of Marc-Andre Fleury at 13:22 making it 4-2 and unleashing the hats.

Before the 18,277 could sit back down, Sidney Crosby scored late in the game with 30.4 seconds left to complete his hat trick. This after he complained to the refs when fans were throwing hats onto the ice for Ovechkin’s hat trick. Crosby had a goal in each period.

Ovechkin, reflecting back on the game, told NHL.com:

"“It’s good for the fans to see great players play against each other and two great teams play against each other. It’s an interesting time and an interesting game. It’s unbelievable when you play against great players and you win a game like this.”"