NHL scores 2017: Alex Ovechkin’s greatness on display in historic night

I’m starting to run out of words for Alex Ovechkin. I know it’s my job to put words together for your eyes to read, but there are only so many ways we can say we’re watching a legend build his Hall of Fame career right in front of us.

Say what you will about the Capitals and their inability to get past the second round of the playoffs, but Ovechkin is plain and simple one of the NHL’s best pure goal scorers in league history. And he proved it once again on a night where he broke the 1,000-point benchmark.

Ovechkin is now the 84th player in NHL history to reach 1,000-plus points after a two-goal performance on Wednesday. Point No. 1000 took him only 35 seconds to reach, a beauty of a wrist shot aided by a Penguins’ defensive miscue.

His second? A shot we’ve seen so many times in Ovechkin’s 12-year NHL career. Face-off circle slap shot. You’d think teams would learn to cover that by now.

It was Ovechkin’s night indeed, though the Penguins made it a bit of a game in the third period. Thanks to Washington’s captain, however, the Capitals have extended their winning streak to seven games and have moved into sole possession of second place in the Metropolitan Division.

That’s what Ovechkin can bring. Game-changing play and a world-class finish. Here’s to another 1,000 more.

Panthers 2, Islanders 1
Canadiens 7, Jets 4
Capitals 5, Penguins 2
Flames 3, Sharks 2

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1. The Panthers on their way to sweeping the Islanders

Two one-goal victories have already gone Florida’s way this season against the Islanders, and they’ll have one more chance to best their former playoff foe on Friday as the Panthers go for a season sweep. Roberto Luongo had 29 saves in the victory, giving the Islanders their third-straight loss as they continue their descent to the NHL’s basement.

2. Ovechkin isn’t the only Capital on a tear

Evgeny Kuznetsov now has two goals and nine total points in his last five games. His behind-the-net assist — a staple for him in his NHL career — was key in Justin Williams’s third period goal, which eventually became the game winner for the Capitals.

Just another one for the highlight reel.

3. Montreal was involved in another blowout

Thankfully this time, the Canadiens were on the right side of a high-scoring game. A total of 11 goals were scored between the Canadiens and Jets, with Montreal winning 7-4. Winnipeg went to backup Michael Hutchinson after just 14 minutes of play and head coach Paul Maurice had, uh, some choice words to say about the Jets’ effort in the loss.

Guess they’re in need of Patrik Laine after all.

After a night of some really solid goaltending, Aaron Dell was screened on Dougie Hamilton’s game-winning goal for the Flames.

Sidney Crosby and Ovechkin will forever be linked.