For some reason, the Minnesota Wild decided to leave Alex Ovechkin wide open for most of the night. You know what happened next.
The Russian machine tallied his 17th career hat trick against former bench boss Bruce Boudreau. All three of Ovechkin’s goals were scored on the power play from his office. With a heavy contingent of Caps fans in attendance (including the Caps Road Crew), hats were actually thrown on the ice.
Goal One
Ovi's first 🚨 of the night #CapsWils on @csnma pic.twitter.com/QDhwqpFhur
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 29, 2017
Ovechkin’s first goal came from the left circle on the power play.
Nicklas Backstrom entered the zone off a pass from Kevin Shattenkirk. Backstrom held possession on the half wall, passed off to Marcus Johansson who quickly let it go through two Wild defenders to Ovechkin, who had a wide open net.
The puck beat Dubnyk’s stick coming across the crease to give Ovi his 31st goal. Of course, no Alex Ovechkin goal is complete without a passionate celly.
Goal Two
Ovi 2-for-2! #CapsWild on @csnma pic.twitter.com/nDOebE9jNY
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 29, 2017
Ovechkin’s second goal came from the left circle on the power play.
As Marcus Johannson held possession of the puck behind the Wild’s net, he passed it up the ice to Kevin Shattenkirk on the blue line. Shat gave a perfect one-timer pass right into Ovechkin’s wheelhouse for another goal.
Dubnyk had no chance.
Goal Three
🎩🎩🎩 #CapsWild @csnma pic.twitter.com/cXYoHACPQI
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 29, 2017
Ovechkin’s hat trick goal came from the left circle on the power play.
The Capitals forced a turnover off a faceoff. Kevin Shattenkirk then found Ovechkin wide open again on Ovechkin Island for the hatty.
LET THE CAPITALS HATS HIT THE FLOOR. LET THE CAPITALS HATS HIT THE FLOOR. UOOOOGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
Ovechkin finished the night with points on all four of the Caps’ regulation goals. He has absolutely destroyed Devan Dubnyk during his career.
Ovechkin 6 career games vs. Devan Dubnyk inc tonight: 10 goals, 16 points, 35 shots.
Could be a problem in #mnwild #capitals Final #hehe
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) March 29, 2017
Also, don’t look now, but Ovechkin once again leads the Capitals in goals and is back in the NHL’s top 10 in goals. All feels right again.
