Alex Ovechkin is on the verge of a historic milestone as he approaches his 900th career goal. The left winger will attempt to achieve this feat when the Washington Capitals host the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Ovechkin, the NHL’s all-time leading scorer in regular-season history, will also be playing in his 1,500th regular-season game, marking a significant moment in his illustrious career.
The 40-year-old forward is coming off an impressive performance in which he scored one goal and provided an assist during the Capitals’ 5-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. This goal served as the game-winner, making it the 137th of his career, a record he also holds. Washington’s offense erupted in the third period, scoring four goals, yet their coach, Spencer Carbery, acknowledged the team’s need for improvement. “Logan was fantastic, especially to keep us in it in the first… We’ll take it, but we’re certainly going to need to be a lot better,” he commented.
The Capitals have enjoyed a successful run recently, winning six of their last seven games. Forward Dylan Strome noted, “It wasn’t pretty, but we got the job done.” Teammate Tom Wilson has been contributing significantly, boasting four goals and five assists in a five-game point streak. For the upcoming matchup, the Capitals are expected to start Charlie Lindgren in goal. Lindgren currently holds a record of 1-1-0, with a 2.04 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage.
Senators Seek Consistency After Recent Victory
The Ottawa Senators enter this game with renewed confidence following a 2-1 comeback victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, March 14, 2024. This win halted a two-game losing streak, although the Senators have managed only two victories in their last seven games, posting a 2-4-1 record. Veteran forward Claude Giroux emphasized the effort required for their recent success, stating, “We had to work hard for this win… Everybody played hard.”
Goaltender Linus Ullmark made 22 saves during the game, which could serve as a turning point for the Senators this season. Ottawa, which is trying to build on last year’s playoff berth, is currently without captain Brady Tkachuk, who is sidelined for at least a month due to thumb surgery. This absence has heightened the importance of contributions from the entire roster.
In their victory against Philadelphia, Ottawa demonstrated resilience after falling behind early in the match. Players like Michael Amadio and Olle Lycksell stepped up to score crucial goals in the comeback effort. Coach Travis Green remarked on the need for team-wide contributions, especially given the circumstances. “In today’s NHL, especially with our team, Brady being out, we’re going to need contributions throughout our lineup,” he said.
As the Capitals and Senators prepare for this significant matchup, all eyes will be on Ovechkin as he seeks to etch his name further into hockey history with his 900th goal. The implications of this game extend beyond individual achievements, as both teams aim to solidify their standings in a competitive season.
