Ovechkin scores twice before leaving with apparent injury, leads Capitals past Utah 6-2
Ovechkin scores twice before leaving with apparent injury, leads Capitals past Utah 6-2
The Washington Capitals celebrate a goal as Utah Hockey Club defenseman Ian Cole (28) reacts during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
Washington Capitals center Aliaksei Protas (21) looks to pass the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Utah Hockey Club, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
Washington Capitals right wing Brandon Duhaime (22) brings the puck downice as Utah Hockey Club center Logan Cooley (92) tries to steal while assisted by Utah center Barrett Hayton (27) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
Utah Hockey Club defenseman Olli Maatta (2) and Washington Capitals center Dylan Strome (17) vie for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
Washington Capitals center Aliaksei Protas (21) shoots as Utah Hockey Club defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (98) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
Washington Capitals defenseman Martin Fehervary (42) and right wing Brandon Duhaime (22) confront Utah Hockey Club center Alexander Kerfoot (15) as Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren (79) gets up after a play during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren (79) blocks a shot by Utah Hockey Club left wing Lawson Crouse (67) as Capitals defenseman Matt Roy (3) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
The Utah Hockey Club and the Washington Capitals fight during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
Washington Capitals defenseman Matt Roy (3) brings the puck down the ice as Utah Hockey Club left wing Michael Carcone (53) defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
The Utah Hockey Club and the Washington Capitals fight during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
The Washington Capitals celebrate a goal as Utah Hockey Club defenseman Ian Cole (28) reacts during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
The Washington Capitals celebrate a goal as Utah Hockey Club defenseman Ian Cole (28) reacts during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
Washington Capitals center Aliaksei Protas (21) looks to pass the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Utah Hockey Club, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
Washington Capitals center Aliaksei Protas (21) looks to pass the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Utah Hockey Club, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
Washington Capitals right wing Brandon Duhaime (22) brings the puck downice as Utah Hockey Club center Logan Cooley (92) tries to steal while assisted by Utah center Barrett Hayton (27) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
Washington Capitals right wing Brandon Duhaime (22) brings the puck downice as Utah Hockey Club center Logan Cooley (92) tries to steal while assisted by Utah center Barrett Hayton (27) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
Utah Hockey Club defenseman Olli Maatta (2) and Washington Capitals center Dylan Strome (17) vie for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
Utah Hockey Club defenseman Olli Maatta (2) and Washington Capitals center Dylan Strome (17) vie for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
Washington Capitals center Aliaksei Protas (21) shoots as Utah Hockey Club defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (98) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
Washington Capitals center Aliaksei Protas (21) shoots as Utah Hockey Club defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (98) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
Washington Capitals defenseman Martin Fehervary (42) and right wing Brandon Duhaime (22) confront Utah Hockey Club center Alexander Kerfoot (15) as Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren (79) gets up after a play during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
Washington Capitals defenseman Martin Fehervary (42) and right wing Brandon Duhaime (22) confront Utah Hockey Club center Alexander Kerfoot (15) as Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren (79) gets up after a play during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren (79) blocks a shot by Utah Hockey Club left wing Lawson Crouse (67) as Capitals defenseman Matt Roy (3) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
Washington Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren (79) blocks a shot by Utah Hockey Club left wing Lawson Crouse (67) as Capitals defenseman Matt Roy (3) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
The Utah Hockey Club and the Washington Capitals fight during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
The Utah Hockey Club and the Washington Capitals fight during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
Washington Capitals defenseman Matt Roy (3) brings the puck down the ice as Utah Hockey Club left wing Michael Carcone (53) defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
Washington Capitals defenseman Matt Roy (3) brings the puck down the ice as Utah Hockey Club left wing Michael Carcone (53) defends during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
The Utah Hockey Club and the Washington Capitals fight during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
The Utah Hockey Club and the Washington Capitals fight during the second period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Bethany Baker)
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Alex Ovechkin scored twice, tying an NHL record, before leaving with an apparent leg injury to propel the Washington Capitals to a 6-2 victory over the Utah Hockey Club on Monday night.
Ovechkin scored on Connor Ingram, making Ingram the 178th different goaltender he’s scored on in his 20-year NHL career, tying a league record held by Jaromir Jagr. He left the ice 5:30 into the third with an apparent left leg injury.
Charlie Lindgren had 24 saves for the Capitals. Dylan Strome and Brandon Duhaime both tallied a goal and an assist.
Jack McBain and Nick Bjugstad scored for Utah. Karel Vejmelka replaced Ingram in the net during the second period. They combined for 18 saves.
Utah struck first when McBain tapped home the puck 3:05 into the first.
Strome tied it on an unassisted wrap-around. Nic Dowd snapped the puck in from close range just 10 seconds later to put the Capitals in front. Ovechkin’s long-distance blast past Ingram’s glove extended Washington’s lead with 8:55 left in the first. He struck again on a 40-foot slap shot on a power play 5:38 into the second to put the Capitals up 4-1.
Takeaways
Capitals: Washington has scored 24 goals over its last four road games, winning all four. The Capitals have scored at least five goals in each game.
Utah: McBain has scored a team-high three goals over Utah’s last five games. Ian Cole, who assisted on McBain’s goal, tallied his 200th career point.
Key moment
Strome and Dowd scored 10 seconds apart to erase Washington’s early 1-0 deficit.
Key stat
Ovechkin leads the NHL with 15 goals this season and has scored five over his last two games.
Up Next
Washington hosts Colorado on Thursday while Utah begins a four-game road swing at Boston on Thursday.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl