Ovi ties all-time record on rookie's game-winner which was overshadowed by Chychrun hit

Alexander Ovechkin assisted on rookie phenom Cole Hutson's game-winner as the Washington Capitals outlasted the Ottawa Senators 3-2 last night in Ottawa. The assist tied Ovi with Nicklas Backstrom for the Capitals' all-time lead in assists. However, the big news was the huge hit Jakob Chychrun delivered on Nick Cousins.

Hutson wins it in OT

How did Cole Hutson fall to the second round in the 2024 NHL draft? However it happened it is working out pretty well for Washington's hockey team. Hutson scored in OT on a nifty feed from Alex Ovechkin (more on him later) for the win. It was Hutson's first OT goal of his career and his third of the year.

For Pierre-Luc Dubois' game-tying goal, Hutson and Ryan Leonard put on a show in the second period as the Caps kept the puck in the Ottawa zone for what seemed like a week with some great passing and keep-ins before Dubois finally buried it. The Sens were gassed, couldn't clear the zone, and Ovi made a great pass. Hutson's next game will be his 30th career game in a Capitals sweater. His skating, his elusiveness and his vision are elite.

After just 29 games in the NHL, Hutson is showing that he is something special.

Ovechkin catches Backstrom

After 22 seasons, Alex Ovechkin finally caught up to Capitals great Nicklas Backstrom. Backstrom held the record for most assists in Capitals history before a bad hip forced him to retire from the NHL. Backstrom and Ovechkin were the most dynamic duo in Caps history. They spent 17 years playing together, culminating in winning the Stanley Cup in 2018. Ovi's next assist will be move him past Backy, giving Alexander the Great yet another Capitals record.

Still, the fact Ovi cis about to pass Backstrom for the franchise record for assists makes me kind of sad. Backstrom greatest center in Washington Capitals history before No. 19 was forced to retire due to a bad hip. I think every Capitals fan would have rather seen Nicky leave the game on his own terms instead of being forced to retire because of an injury.

I supposed if their is anyone Backy would want to hold the record, it's got to be the Great 8. Maybe Backstrom will make an appearance when the Caps honor their captain for his accomplishment.

Chychrun knocks out Cousins with huge hit

With just under three minutes to go in regulation, Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun delivered a gnarly hit on forward Nick Cousins. Chychrun was initially given a 5-minute major penalty by the on-ice officials, but the refs reversed their decision after they reviewed video of the hit. Technically, it was a clean hit since Chychrun hit Cousins shoulder to chest and didn't target the head. Still, it was a violent hit that knocked Cousins out of the game.

I would usually expect the league to hand down supplemental discipline, but since the officials decided Chychrun laid clean hit, the Capital's defenseman will most likely avoid a suspension or fine.

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