Alex Ovechkin Leads Capitals in Comeback Win Over Canucks

The Washington Capitals defeated the Vancouver Canucks Monday night at Capital One Arena. Alex Ovechkin’s 4 point night lifted the Capitals to victory, earning the win in true comeback fashion, 6-4.

An early power play goal got the game started when Alex Ovechkin punished the visitors just 56 seconds into the game for his first goal of the season. Marcus Johansson and Dylan Strome recorded assists on the play that gave the good guys a 1-0 lead.

The first period consisted of back and forth action, and right when it was about to come to a close, a Darcy Kuemper blunder gifted the tying goal for the visitors. Elias Pettersson made no mistake on an open net opportunity to even the game with just 8 seconds left to play in the opening period. Shots in the first were equal at 7 apiece.

Another early goal opened the second period 8 seconds in, after Lars Eller finished off a lucky bounce to regain the lead for the Capitals. Martin Fehervary had the only helper on Eller’s first of the season.

Bo Horvat and Curtis Lazar combined for 2 goals in 11 seconds just past the 12-minute mark of the period to give the away team their first lead of the game. The Canucks didn’t stop there when J.T. Miller took advantage of their only power play of the game, to extend their lead to 4-2 with just 2:36 left to play in the second period. The Capitals had a few chances late in the period, but a frustrated Kuemper and crew went into the intermission down by 2. Vancouver outshot Washington 19-13 in the second frame.

Early period goals seemed to be the trend of this game when Dylan Strome scored his first of the year and first as a Capital on the power play 76 seconds in to the third period. The Capitals continued high pressure all period, and tied the game with just over 11 minutes to play thanks to John Carlson’s first of the year beating Thatcher Demko up high.

In their best period of the young season, the Capitals offense continued with two more goals. Conor Sheary’s third of the season and Alex Ovechkin’s second of the game capped off the Capitals comeback, and secured their second win of the season in a 6-4 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. The Capitals outshot the Canucks 10-4 in the final frame.

Evgeny Kuznetsov finished the game with 3 assists, while Marcus Johansson recorded 2 apples himself. Ovechkin earned first star honors with 2 goals and 2 assists on the night, while John Carlson earned second star recording a goal and an assist. Elias Pettersson had 3 points, good for third star of the game.

Darcy Kuemper stopped 26 of 30 shots for his second win of the year, while the Capitals had power play improvements going 2 for 3 on the night. Connor Brown also left the game early in the third period and did not return, after falling awkwardly into the boards after a hit from Noah Juulsen. Final shots in the game finished tied at 30-30.

Alex Ovechkin now sits at 782 total career goals, and just 20 away from passing Gordie Howe for second on the all-time goals list.

The Capitals improved to 2-2-0 on the year and will look to build on their momentum Thursday night, when they visit the Ottawa Senators. Game time is at 7:00 PM EST.