For most of the NHL season, the Hart Trophy conversation has centered around one man. His results on Thursday might indicate the conversation is taking on a decidedly more Russian tone.
NHL scores 2015: Ovechkin shows up Price, Blues, Blackhawks clinch
The Hart Trophy is now a wide-open race.
Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Carey Price has been unquestionably sensational this season in Montreal. Any Hart Trophy promotion he has received is completely worth it. But now, Alexander Ovechkin isn't so much squeezing into the conversation as much as barreling into it with a tank.
After a few weeks of torrid scoring, Ovechkin finally got a chance to go one-on-one with Price on Thursday when the Capitals visited Montreal. The result was a banner night for Ovi and one of the worst performances of the year for Price. Ovechkin scored twice, including the game-tying power play goal in the third that set the stage for Washington's eventual victory.
Ovechkin now paces the NHL with 52 goals. No one else is even close to that mark, and no one has arguably had more of an impact on his team’s success than Ovechkin. (Except for Price, of course.) A month ago, the Hart looked like Price’s to lose. Now it seems almost inevitable that he will indeed lose it to a man with three of them already in his trophy case.
At least, Ovi’s coach seems to think so.
Trotz, unprompted, to start his presser, on the Hart: "I think it's a lot closer now. I think it's going to be a photo finish."
— Alex Prewitt (@alex_prewitt) April 3, 2015
And we can’t wait.
Scores
Columbus Blue Jackets 4, New York Islanders 3 (SO)
Ottawa Senators 2, Tampa Bay Lightning 1 (OT)
Washington Capitals 5, Montreal Canadiens 4 (SO)
3 Things We Learned
1. Chicago and St. Louis are back in the playoffs.
Considering the Blues and Blackhawks battled in a bloody and bruising seven-game series last spring, it was only fitting that they clinch their 2015 playoff berths on the same night. Chicago earned its spot with a harrowing third-period surge to beat the Vancouver Canucks. The Blues' new top line of T.J. Oshie, Paul Stastny and Jaden Schwartz demolished the Flames in a 4-1 win. Are these two clubs destined to meet again in the playoffs? One can only hope.
2. Ottawa keeps hanging on.
Fringe contenders are dropping like flies all around the NHL, but the Senators keep finding ways to somehow stave off elimination. Ottawa couldn't figure out how to best Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Ben Bishop for three periods, but (as usual) someone stepped up and made a big play when it counted. Patrick Wiercioch's overtime goal gave the Senators a crucial two points, keeping them three back of Boston and Detroit for third place in the Atlantic Division.
3. The Oilers are still finding ways to entertain us.
This might go down as one of the worst seasons in Oilers history, but will be remembered best for generating the #HereComeTheOilers hashtag with amazing moments like this.
Impact Moment
Alex Ovechkin’s first goal on Thursday was his 473th in his career, making him Washington’s all-time goal scoring leader. The goal itself was as spectacular as the player who scored it.
Stat of the Night
.@FlaPanthers Roberto Luongo posted his 400th victory to move within one win of Chris Osgood for 10th in NHL history. pic.twitter.com/4Ls8wSkcPI
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) April 3, 2015
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