Alex Ovechkin comes through in OT as Capitals edge Blue Jackets

Field Level Media|published: Thu 21st December, 22:04 2023

Dec 21, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) wrists a shot on goal as Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Erik Gudbranson (44) during the second period at Nationwide Arena. credits: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Ovechkin snapped a career-long 14-game scoring drought when he scored with 53 seconds left in overtime to lift the Washington Capitals to a 3-2 win over the host Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday night.

Ovechkin took a cross-ice pass from Dylan Strome and scored on a wrist shot from the left circle. It was his 26th overtime goal, the most in NHL history.

Anthony Mantha scored twice for Washington, which had defeated the New York Islanders 3-2 on Tuesday night on Strome's overtime goal. John Carlson had three assists, Ovechkin also had an assist and Charlie Lindgren made 35 saves.

Washington is 5-1-2 in its past eight games.

Cole Sillinger and Yegor Chinakhov scored for Columbus, and Elvis Merzlikins made 29 saves.

Merzlikins stopped Martin Fehervary's backhand attempt on a 2-on-1 rush midway through the overtime and then got into a scuffle with right wing Tom Wilson in the crease that resulted in the Washington power play.

Mantha gave the Capitals a 1-0 lead at 18:24 of the first period when he deflected Ovechkin's centering attempt past Merzlikins on a power play.

Mantha turned the puck over in the second period, but Lindgren made a glove save to rob Kent Johnson and keep the score at 1-0.

Merzlikins was sharp as well, making a pad save on a strong chance by Ovechkin and later blocking Wilson's redirect attempt.

The Blue Jackets tied the score 1-1 at 15:18 of the second period. After some extended zone time, Sillinger tipped in Eric Bemstrom's one-timer from just outside the right circle.

The tie was short-lived as Washington regained the lead at 17:24 on a pretty passing sequence. Carlson fed Aliaksei Protas in the bottom of the right circle and he centered the puck to Mantha, who converted from the slot for his ninth goal of the season.

Mantha has nine goals in 26 games after scoring 11 in 67 games a year ago.

Chinakhov tied the score 2-2 at 12:49 when he skated down the slot, received a pass from Dmitri Voronkov and scored on a wrist shot.

—Field Level Media