Captain Clutch – Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin registered two points (1g, 1a) on Thursday
at Colorado, including the game-winning goal in the third period. Ovechkin (72) now sits one game-winning goal shy of tying Peter Bondra (73) for first place on the Capitals’ game-winning goals list. Ovechkin’s game-winning goal also moved him past Alex Kovalev for fourth place among Russian-born players in career NHL goals. The Moscow native has tallied 12 points in his last 10 games (11/1-11/20: 4g, 8a) and ranks second in the NHL in shots (85), tied for second in game-winning goals (3), tied for eighth in power-play goals (4) and goals (9) and tied for 12th in hits (61). Ovechkin has registered 36 points (22g, 14a) in 33 career games against the Sabres.
Career NHL goals, Russian-born players
Sergei Fedorov 483
Alexander Mogilny 473
Pavel Pure 437
Alex Ovechkin 431
Alex Kovalev 430
Hot Streak – With their victory on Thursday at Colorado, the Capitals have posted a 5-2-0 record in their last seven games (11/7-11/20). Washington has allowed 2.14 goals per game during the last seven games and are 16 for 18 (88.9%) on the penalty kill during that span.
Orpik Me Up – Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik earned an assist on Alex Ovechkin’s game-winning goal on Thursday against Colorado and led all skaters in hits (6) and blocked shots (6). Orpik has earned an assist on Washington’s game-winning goal in two consecutive games, as he tallied an assist on Eric Fehr’s overtime goal on Tuesday at Arizona. Orpik has tallied six assists this season and the Capitals are 5-0-0 this season when he registers an assist. The 6’3”, 220-pound defenseman ranks third in the NHL in blocked shots (54) and sixth in the League in hits (69).
Here to Assist – Nicklas Backstrom registered two points (1g, 1a) on Thursday at Colorado, marking his sixth multi-point game of the season. Backstom has registered 11 points in his last 10 games (11/1-11/20: 3g, 8a) and ranks tied for 12th in the NHL in assists this season (13). Since he entered the NHL in 2007-08, Backstrom ranks tied for third in the NHL in assists (380), trailing Henrik Sedin (434) and Joe Thornton (416). Backstrom recorded his 500th NHL point on Oct. 22 against Edmonton and became the first member of the 2006 draft class to reach 500 points. The Gavle, Sweden, native has registered 22 points (8g, 14a) in 25 career games against Buffalo.
Defensive Behavior – The Capitals have killed 14 consecutive penalties and 17 of their last 19 penalties (11/4-11/18). Washington ranks 14th in the NHL in penalty kill percentage (82.0%), seventh in hits (528) and 12th in blocked shots (287). Washington has allowed 2.14 goals per game during the last seven games (11/7-11/20) and ranks fourth in the NHL in shots against per game (26.9).