Tricky Ovechkin Leads Capitals Over Devils 5-1

Now these are the Capitals we’ve been waiting for.

The Capitals used a strong third period effort to carry themselves over the New Jersey Devils this afternoon, scoring 4 goals in the final 20 minutes including 2 off the stick of captain Alex Ovechkin.

February 23, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) celebrates with center Jay Beagle (83) after scoring a goal against the New Jersey Devils in the third period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been a while since either the Caps as a team or Ovechkin individually have looked this dominant, but both were on fire this afternoon, and it was just too much for Johan Hedberg and the Devils to handle.

One of the big things the Capitals were able to do today that led to such a scoring frenzy was drawing defenders away from the middle of the ice. Two of Ovechkin’s three goals came off wide-open one timers in the slot, and he was able to bury both. The Capitals finally started to create quality scoring chances instead of relying on lucky rebounds and redirects, and that was the difference in today’s game.

The other difference, aside from Braden Holtby’s sensational performance between the pipes, was Washington’s ability to execute on short-handed situations. Not only did they not allow a power play goal, but they managed to score one of their own while down a man.

Alex Ovechkin’s hat trick was nice, and the 5-1 victory was even better, but what’s even better than both of those is that for just the second time this year, we get 50% off our online orders at Papa Johns tomorrow! And only part of that was sarcastic.