WASHINGTON – After producing his first hat trick in more than two years, Alex Ovechkin wanted to give some credit to Washington Capitals coach Adam Oates.
“He’s that kind of person,” Ovechkin explained, “who gives me belief all the time.”
So when Ovechkin texted Oates the other day, lamenting that it seemed as though the puck simply did not want to go in the net, the first-time NHL head coach replied: “It’s going to come.”
Sure did Saturday, over and over again. Ovechkin scored three goals in a game for the first time since Jan. 22, 2011, leading the last-place Capitals to a much-needed 5-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils.
“For a player, if you feel that kind of trust from a coach, coaching staff, it’s very important,” Ovechkin said after his 11th career hat trick. “And teammates see it.”
He’s been something less than the player who stormed into the NHL by averaging 53 goals over his first five seasons, with two MVP awards. That average dipped to 35 goals the past two seasons, and he hadn’t even scored two goals in a game since a loss to Winnipeg on March 23, 2012.
“All I can tell you is that we have to find a way to slow him down and stop him,” Devils coach Peter DeBoer said, “and we didn’t do that.”
Not even close.
Alternating between his customary left wing and the right side, precisely how Oates wants, Ovechkin put Washington ahead 1-0 by sending a one-timer past Hedberg from the left circle off a pass from Mike Ribeiro, who finished with two assists.
Ovechkin celebrated by dropping to a knee and pumping his right fist before spinning and skating over to the boards to slam against the glass with both gloves.
Ilya Kovalchuk’s goal with 37.5 seconds left in the second period tied the game for New Jersey, but Ovechkin put Washington ahead to stay 1:23 into the third on a rush.
Ovechkin’s third goal was on a power play, with a little under 5 minutes remaining.
He also added an assist later on Troy Brouwer’s power play goal, for good measure.
Yes, and as Ovechkin goes, so go the Capitals.
Kings 4, Avalanche 1
In Los Angeles, Dustin Brown and Jeff Carter scored first-period goals, Trevor Lewis added his first career short-handed goal, and the Kings won their third straight game.
Flyers 5, Jets 3
In Philadelphia, Wayne Simmonds scored a go-ahead goal about halfway through the third period for the Flyers.
Oilers 3, Coyotes 2 (SO)
In Edmonton, Jordan Eberle scored in regulation and in the shootout as the Oilers snapped a two-game slide.
Red Wings 4, Predators 0
In Detroit, Jimmy Howard made 33 saves for his first shutout of the season.
Canadiens 3, Rangers 0
In Montreal, Carey Price made 17 saves, and the Canadiens topped slumping New York.
Islanders 4, Sabres 0
In Buffalo, Evgeni Nabokov stopped 35 shots in New York’s win over the skidding and unraveling Sabres.
Lightning 5, Hurricanes 2
In Raleigh, North Carolina, Steven Stamkos scored and had an assist in Tampa Bay’s four-goal third period.
Stars 3, Sharks 1
In Dallas, Jamie Benn scored a goal and added an assist, and the Stars’ struggling power play connected twice.
Blues 2, Blue Jackets 1
In St. Louis, David Perron scored the go-ahead goal midway through the third.
Senators 3, Maple Leafs 2
In Ottawa, Colin Greening batted a puck out of midair for a goal with 24 seconds remaining.
Flames 3, Wild 1
In Calgary, Matt Stajan scored twice for the Flames.
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