In a thrilling overtime matchup, Alex Ovechkin delivered a decisive goal for the Washington Capitals, leading them to a 1-0 victory over the Ottawa Senators. The game remained scoreless until Ovechkin found the net, marking his 874th career goal and achieving a new NHL record for the most goalies scored upon, netting his 179th victim, Leevi Merilainen. This occurred during a two-on-one breakaway, where Ovechkin strategically chose to shoot rather than pass, securing the win for his team.
The Senators, despite the loss, showcased resilience against the NHL-leading Capitals, with Merilainen putting forth an impressive performance, accumulating 26 saves, including a critical stop on Tom Wilson during overtime. Ottawa's defense held strong, and although they struggled on power plays, they maintained a solid game throughout.
Capitals' goalie Logan Thompson contributed significantly with a 24-save shutout, helping preserve the scoreless tie until Ovechkin's winner. Senators coach Travis Green acknowledged the game's intensity, emphasizing the importance of assessing their performance positively, despite the setback. Furthermore, Ottawa rookie Donovan Sebrango made his NHL debut, expressing excitement about playing alongside his childhood idol, Ovechkin, highlighting the game's memorable nature for him.
