SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin set an NHL record and was aiming for another before exiting in the third period with an apparent left leg injury.
Ovechkin scored twice against Utah goaltender Connor Ingram on Monday night, marking the 178th goaltender he has scored against in his 20-year NHL career. He is tied with Jaromir Jagr for the league record. His first goal came with 8:55 left in the first period. After 5:38 minutes in the second half, he struck again in a power play.
“It’s more than impressive what he’s doing,” said Capitals goalkeeper Charlie Lindgren. “When it rains, it pours for him. It really does. He finds ways to get to scoring points, and when he does that and the puck is on his stick, he doesn't miss anything. He is our leader. He’s our bull.”
Karel Vejmelka replaced Ingram in net for Utah immediately after Ovechkin's second goal.
Ovechkin was sent to the Capitals' bench with an apparent lower leg injury 5:30 into the third after he collided with Utah forward Jack McBain and collapsed on the ice. He was examined after the game but there will be no update on his injury until Tuesday at the earliest.
“It’s a shame to see that,” Washington forward Nic Dowd said. “He was absolutely on fire and he’s huge for our team. He is our captain. … He played incredible hockey.”
On Sunday night, Ovechkin tied with Patrick Marleau for the second-highest scoring goals by scoring two goals against former Capitals goaltender Ilya Samsonov. He scored an unanswered goal with 37 seconds left, earning his 31st career hat trick.
With Monday's goals, Ovechkin only needs 27 goals to pass Wayne Gretzky and reach the NHL career goals record. The 39-year-old Russian scored 15 goals in 18 games, taking his tally to 868 career goals in his 20th season.
He has scored five goals in the last two games alone.
“He was phenomenal this year and led the charge for our team,” Washington coach Spencer Carbery said. “At times when you need these types of games, you need guys to step up, score and make a big play. He continued to do that. This year is off to a phenomenal start.”
Ovechkin's two goals helped the Capitals to a 6-2 victory over Utah. Washington has won four straight on the road and scored a total of 24 goals in those four games.
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