Ovechkin has not scored in six NHL games. What about Gretzky’s record?

Ovechkin has not scored in six NHL games. What about Gretzky’s record?

Vladimir Laevsky December 3, 2023, 09:20 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.

This time Ovi only made one pitch. And the NHL champion took sweet revenge on Washington.

Washington faced Las Vegas for the second time this season. In the first match, held in mid-November, the team from the “capital” in crisis unexpectedly beat the “Golden Knights” with a score of 3:0.

Related materials

Video

“Complete nonsense!” Ovechkin found himself in a scandalous situation and Washington criticized the NHL champion.

The capitals came into the new meeting with seven wins in nine games. Washington also won the last two meetings. And Alexander Ovechkin approached the fantastic mark of 1,500 points in his career.

In addition, the capital’s coach, Spencer Carbery, decided to make changes, removing Evgeniy Kuznetsov from the first line and naming Dylan Strome captain.

Related materials

Video

Ovechkin helped his Canadian friend score a hat-trick! And he found himself on the verge of a great event.

Vegas, on the other hand, has lost five times in its last seven games. The dry loss to Arizona was especially offensive. However, the Golden Knights still held the lead in the Western Conference and were among the leaders in the NHL.

In fact, it was Vegas who quickly took the initiative and opened the scoring in the match. In the eighth minute, Tom Wilson was sent off. Washington managed to fight back. Las Vegas goalie Logan Thompson stopped the puck behind the net. Jack Eichel picked it up and ran into a solo advance down the right flank. Upon entering the Capitals’ zone, the forward made a cross-court pass to Jonathan Marchessault, the forward moved to the center and shot without resistance, Darcy Kuemper could not help his team.

You can watch the video on the official NHL website. Video rights belong to NHL Enterprises, LP.

The first period followed the Golden Knights scenario. Although the teams did not score, Vegas outshot Washington: 10 to five shots. Ovi never hit the mark. And Kuzya was limping toward the end of the period after blocking a shot.

The second half changed the situation slightly. The Golden Knights completely outplayed their opponents, not allowing the Capitals to even take the first shot of the game. It paid off in the 28th minute.

After releasing the puck, Eichel passed his opponents, collected the puck, faced Kemper and easily beat the capital’s goalkeeper.

You can watch the video on the official NHL website. Video rights belong to NHL Enterprises, LP.

Only after this did the capitals finally “turn on” for a while. It wasn’t until the ninth minute that Washington had its first shot on goal in the second half. Ovechkin launched a two-on-one counterattack, played a brilliant pass to the right flank to Wilson, and although the Las Vegas player managed to touch it, Tom threw it accurately, but Thompson saved the team from him.

In the 33rd minute, Caps defender Martin Fehervary found himself in position to shoot. The hockey player made a shot, the puck hit the Las Vegas goalie right in the head; His helmet simply fell to the ice and the referees stopped the game. But Thompson was fine.

The Capitals ended up taking just nine shots at the end of the second half. The “Knights” moved them exactly three times…

At the beginning of the third period, the Golden Knights continued to press. Ivan Barbashev passed Aichel, and Jack created a beauty! The American went behind Washington’s goal and, without looking, he passed the ball behind, behind the goal! – to Mark Stone, who put the puck in the net. 3:0! It took Vegas 50 seconds to score in the third period.

You can watch the video on the official NHL website. Video rights belong to NHL Enterprises, LP.

In the final period of the game, Washington pressed and finally managed to break the score. Dylan Strome passed the ball from the wing to the center to Wilson, who put the puck in the net. Tom’s fourth goal in two games.

You can watch the video on the official NHL website. Video rights belong to NHL Enterprises, LP.

In the penultimate minute, Marchessault scored a double into an empty net.

As a result, Vegas avenged the November defeat and became the sole leader of the championship.

Alexander Ovechkin took his first and only shot only in the third period and failed to score for the sixth consecutive game – a repeat of his worst streak this season. The Washington captain’s quest for Wayne Gretzky’s record remains stalled. Ovi still has only five goals to his name, two of which were into empty nets. He still has 827 career goals and the lead over Gretzky is still 67 points.

Related materials

“It will play forever.” Ovechkin goes to the anti-record in search of Gretzky

Will Ovechkin make a breakthrough this season or is there no turning back?

It’s hard to answer with certainty now.

But there is no doubt that the Capitals will have a very difficult time without the scoring achievements of their 38-year-old star.