Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin Has 3-Point Night in 6-3 Win vs. Canadiens – Hockey Writers – NHL News

The Washington Capitals (7-2-0) continued their winning ways on Halloween night against the Montreal Canadiens (4-6-1). With the 6-3 victory at Capital One Arena, Washington matched its best win total since 2015-16 through nine contests.

The game featured nine goals from both teams, but none were scored in the first half. Tom Wilson finished the game scoreless in the second—Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson helped his tally on the power play.

Canadiens hotshot Cole Caufield responded, scoring his 10th goal of the season. On the power play, Montreal captain Nick Suzuki got his only assist.

Brendan Gallagher got Montreal their first (and last) lead of the game less than a minute later. Lane Hutson and Christian Dvorak both notched assists.

Brandon Duhaime, who scored his first goal as a member of the team, scored for the Capitals. Taylor Raddysh and Trevor van Riemdsyk, both younger brothers of other NHLers (Darren Raddysh of the Tampa Bay Lightning and James van Riemsdyk of the Columbus Blue Jackets), got assists.

Washington had two goals in quick succession, with Jakub Vrana scoring unassisted. Less than a minute after tying the game, the Capitals took a 3-2 lead.

To finish the second half, the brass exploded, Suzuki drove the Canadiens. His 13th point of the season and second of the night, he’s on a hot streak. David Savard and Hutson had their fourth and seventh assists of the season.

Related: Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki is the No. 1 center in the NHL

Connor McMichael of the Capitals gave his team a goal back with his fifth goal of the season. van Riemsdyk and Wilson both got on the score sheet with their second point of the tournament.

The theme of back-to-back goals continued with Aliaksei Protas. He scored 36 seconds after McMichael, assisted by Ovechkin and Dylan Strome.

In the second half of the final frame, captain Ovechkin scored the 858th goal of his career, needing 37 more to pass Wayne Gretzky for the all-time leader. He scored three points on the night, getting assists from Protas and Strome, the latter of whom now has double-digit assists this season.

THREE GOALS IN TWO GAMES 👀 pic.twitter.com/waE47FufEn

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 1, 2024

Between the pipes, Capitals’ Charlie Lindgren didn’t face much rubber, but his 13 saves on 16 shots were enough to get the win. For the Canadians, Cayden Primeau made 28 of 34 stops.

Next, the Capitals will stay on home ice to face the Blue Jackets on November 2. On the same day, the Canadiens will stay on the road to play the Pittsburgh Penguins.