Alex Ovechkin scored another goal to pull closer to Wayne Gretzky’s record and helped the Washington Capitals end a three-game losing streak on Tuesday.
Ovechkin scored a power-play goal in the first period of the 4-3 victory against the Boston Bruins. It was the 891st goal of his career and he needs four in the Capitals’ final eight games to pass Gretzky’s record of 894 before the end of this season.
It was Ovechkin’s 322nd power-play goal, adding to his record. He also picked up a secondary assist on Tom Wilson’s eventual game-winner.
Tuesday’s game also marked the NHL debut of Capitals 2023 first-round pick Ryan Leonard, who signed Monday. Playing in Boston days after his Boston College career ended, the Hobey Baker finalist had three hits and a plus-1 rating in 14:14 of ice time.
The Capitals next play Wednesday night at the Carolina Hurricanes (7 p.m. ET, TNT, truTV).
Here are highlights from Tuesday’s Capitals-Bruins game:
Alex Ovechkin stats
Alex Ovechkin had a goal, his 891st, and an assist, plus two shots in 16:23 of ice time.
Final score: Capitals 4, Bruins 3
The Capitals hang on for a 4-3 victory that ends their three-game losing streak. Alex Ovechkin scores his 891st career goal and needs three to tie Wayne Gretzky and four to break his record. Washington’s next game is Wednesday night in North Carolina.
Bruins pull goalie
Alex Ovechkin is on the ice. He shoots wide of the open net.
Capitals-Bruins score: David Pastrnak scores again
David Pastrnak stickhandles to a better shooting position and rips a shot past Charlie Lindgren. Capitals 4, Bruins 3
Capitals-Bruins score: Tom Wilson adds to lead
Tom Wilson’s attempted pass hits a Bruins defender and deflects past Jeremy Swayman. Alex Ovechkin gets the secondary assist. Capitals 4, Bruins 2
Capitals-Bruins score: Dylan Strome gives Washington lead
Dylan Strome taps in a rebound of an Aliaksei Protas shot off the boards at 10:35. Rookie Ryan Leonard is on the ice for the goal. He doesn’t factor into the scoring but got the play started with a bank pass off the boards to Martin Fehervary. Capitals 3, Bruins 2
Capitals, Bruins still tied
Washington’s Charlie Lindgren and Boston’s Jeremy Swayman each make a big save. Twelve minutes left.
Third period underway
It’s 2-2.
TV schedule changes
TNT will broadcast Wednesday’s Capitals game at the Carolina Hurricanes. It already had been scheduled to broadcast Sunday’s game at the New York Islanders. Wednesday’s game is exclusive, but Washington station Monumental Sports Network will carry Sunday’s game.
TNT Sports will also produce an Ovechkin-focused alternative telecast of both Capitals games – The OviCast – featuring an isolated camera on Ovechkin for the duration of each contest on truTV and Max. The OviCast will display Ovechkin’s live stats, his historical numbers and on-ice audio from the NHL on TNT broadcast.
Alex Ovechkin stats
Alex Ovechkin has one goal and two shots through two periods. He has played 10:39.
End of second period: Capitals 2, Bruins 2
The Capitals dominated the first period. The Bruins dominated the second period, scoring twice. David Pastrnak makes up for two ill-timed penalties to tie the game.
Capitals-Bruins score: David Pastrnak ties it up
Jakob Chychrun is called for holding, and this time, the Bruins connect. David Pastrnak, who cut short two other power plays by taking penalties, deflects in a Morgan Geekie slap pass to tie the game. Capitals 2, Bruins 2
Capitals-Bruins fight: Dylan McIlrath vs. Jeffrey Viel
That was a long heavyweight bout. McIlrath is making his first appearance since Dec. 23. 5:21 left in the second period.
Capitals go on abbreviated power play
Alex Ovechkin is out there, naturally. Jeremy Swayman stops his one-timer and the Bruins kill off the penalty.
Bruins go on power play
Lars Eller is called for high-sticking Nikita Zadorov. But David Pastrnak interferes with Nic Dowd and it’s 4-on-4.
Capitals-Bruins score: Boston gets one back
Boston’s Vinni Lettieri cuts the Capitals’ lead to 2-1. If this holds, Alex Ovechkin would have the game-winning goal, giving him the NHL record in that category. He’s currently tied with Jaromir Jagr with 135. Capitals 2, Bruins 1
Second period underway
2-0 Capitals. Alex Ovechkin scored in the first period.
End of first period: Capitals 2, Bruins 0
The Capitals get the exact start they need as they try to end a three-game losing streak. Alex Ovechkin chips in a power-play goal to make it 2-0 after Nic Dowd scores short-handed. Ovechkin has one shot through one period. Ryan Leonard has three hits in his NHL debut.
Alex Ovechkin scores: Capitals 2, Bruins 0
Alex Ovechkin gets career goal No. 891 on the power play. He now needs four to break Wayne Gretzky’s record. Ovechkin is stationed in front of the net, takes a nice cross-crease pass from Dylan Strome and adds to his record with his 322nd power play goal.
Capitals-Bruins score: Washington scores short-handed goal
The Bruins go on the power play, but David Pastrnak can’t control a bouncing puck at the blue line. Brandon Duhaime feeds Nic Dowd, who scores a short-handed goal. Capitals 1, Bruins 0.
Capitals, Bruins scoreless
Twelve minutes left in first period. Ovechkin has two shifts, no shots.
Capitals-Bruins game underway
Ryan Leonard is out for the first shift of his NHL debut. Alex Ovechkin’s line is out second.
When is Alex Ovechkin’s next game? Capitals vs. Bruins start time
The Capitals play the Bruins at 7 p.m. ET Tuesday at TD Garden in Boston.
Where to watch Capitals vs. Bruins game
The game is not being aired on television nationally. It will be shown on NESN in Boston and on Monumental Sports Network in Washington.
How to stream Capitals vs. Bruins game
The game can be streamed via ESPN+ outside of the local markets.
Alex Ovechkin vs. Jeremy Swayman
Ovechkin has scored only one career goal against Swayman, the Bruins goalie tonight.
Alex Ovechkin linemates
Newcomer Ryan Leonard is scheduled to skate with Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas to give him a taste of top-six action in his debut. Those are often Ovechkin’s linemates. He’ll skate with Pierre-Luc Dubois and Tom Wilson on Tuesday vs. Boston.
Capitals’ Ryan Leonard to make NHL debut
The focus of Tuesday’s Capitals-Bruins game will also be on the NHL debut of Ryan Leonard, the Boston College and U.S. world junior hockey championship star who signed an entry-level contract on Monday. Ovechkin called him a ‘tremendous player.’
‘Just play your game. Don’t try too much,’ Ovechkin told reporters about his advice for Leonard. ‘I’m pretty sure he’s going to have lots of energy. Probably, he’s going to be nervous. But I’m sure he’s going to be fine.’
Alex Ovechkin goals vs. Bruins
Ovechkin has 29 goals in 68 regular season games against the Bruins. He was held to no points on three shots in a December game against Boston.
How many seasons did Wayne Gretzky play?
Wayne Gretzky got his 894 goals in 20 seasons. Alex Ovechkin is in his 20th season.
When was Alex Ovechkin drafted?
Alex Ovechkin was drafted No. 1 overall by the Capitals in 2004. He didn’t make his NHL debut until 2005-06 because the 2004-05 season was canceled by a lockout.