Capitals Game Blog: Ovechkin’s Goal Gives Capitals Lead Heading Into Third Period

Fun fact: The Capitals are 1-0 in games that Alex Ovechkin scores a goal. Well, he scored a goal last period, and it was vintage Ovechkin.

The Capitals are 1-0 this season when Ovechkin scores. He scored in the second period. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Ovechkin got the puck on the power play in his favorite spot, on the left wing just above the face-off circle, and Ovi did what Ovi does. After a very deceptive pass across the ice from Mike Ribiero (who picked up his second assist of the night), Ovechkin buried the puck to give the Capitals the 2-1 lead headed into the final period.

The Capitals looked much more disciplined in the period, with heavily lopsided calls being the only cause of Maple Leafs power plays in the period. The calls were inconsistent, and frankly there should have been some more powerplays for the Capitals. If they continue to do what they did in the second period, hopefully the scale will balance itself back out.

Washington needs this win to gain some momentum as they head home to face the division-rival Flyers on Saturday. They can’t change their game plan, because it’s working, and they learned on Tuesday that fixing what isn’t broken is actually counterproductive. We’ll be back for postgame analysis afte the third period.