Alex Ovechkin joined the likes of Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe as the only players in NHL history to score 800 career goals by completing a hat trick in Washington's 7-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks Tuesday night at the United Center. Winger Conor Sheary also added a pair of assists to pick up the 2nd star of the game after Ovechkin grabbed the 1st star award.
The so-called "Great 8" only needed 24 seconds for his opening goal, giving the Capitals a very early 1-0 lead. He would later add his 2nd of the game at the 8:14 mark of the 1st period to give Washington a quick 2-0 lead. Chicago did manage to cut the lead in half with 1 minute left in the period, thanks to a goal by Tyler Johnson (3).
In the 2nd period, Washington again drew first blood, this time from Trevor van Riemsdyk (3) at 4:56 to make it 3-1 Caps. Quite a bit later at 11:38, Chicago pulled within 1 with their 2nd goal of the game, this one by captain Jonathan Toews (9) on the power play. A few minutes after that, Washington restored their 2-goal lead with Nic Dowd (5) at 17:18 giving them a 4-2 advantage heading into the 3rd period.
The first goal of the 3rd period would be Ovechkin's 3rd and his 20th of the 2022-23 season to complete his hat trick and achieve 800 career goals in the process. A few visiting fans littered the ice with their hats in celebration. Funny enough, Washington would add 2 more goals afterward, first by Anthony Mantha (8) at 8:59 and then by Dmitry Orlov (1) with 36 seconds left in regulation. Before Orlov's tally, Chicago notched their final lamp lighter on the night, by Max Domi (10) at 18:51.
Washington just edged Chicago in total shots with 30 to the Hawks' 29 and racked up 16 hits to 25 for Chicago. The Hawks also held that exact same advantage in faceoff wins while having just 2 penalty minutes to Washington's 6. Chicago's Sam Lafferty tripped the Caps' Garnet Hathaway to earn himself that much time in the box.
Standings
WSH: 15-12-4, 6th of 8 in Metro, 5-game win streak
CHI: 7-16-4, 8th of 8 in Central, 4-game losing streak
Up Next
WSH: 12/15, vs DAL, 7 pm
CHI: 12/15, vs VGK, 8:30 pm
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