Ovechkin model of consistency for Capitals

Alex Ovechkin doesn't just know how to score goals, he knows how to score them at the right time.
The Washington Capitals forward became the first player to score 20 goals this season and passed Mark Recchi for No. 20 on the League's all-time goal list with his 578th in a
4-1 win
against the San Jose Sharks on Monday.

It was also the 97th game-winning goal for Ovechkin, who passed Mats Sundin for No. 11 on the NHL's all-time list. Calgary Flames forward Jaromir Jagr is the all-time leader with 135. The only other active player with more game-winning goals than Ovechkin is Toronto Maple Leafs forward Patrick Marleau (103).
There's more.
Ovechkin became the 11th player to begin his career with 13 straight seasons with at least 20 goals. Since entering the NHL in 2005-06, Ovechkin leads all players with goals, points (1,063), game-winning goals and power-play goals (218).
The goal Monday, which came in the second period,was a thing of beauty. Try to watch this play just once. We dare you.

Whoops!

Washington Capitals forward Evgeny Kuznetsov tried to congratulate teammate Brett Connolly
but things went horribly wrong
as Connolly's back was turned.
Kuznetsov, however, showed that he is unflappable under pressure and came up with a creative solution to being left hanging.

Cookie coach

Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock proved just as comfortable in the kitchen as he is directing his team on the ice. During the Maple Leafs' annual visit to The Hospital for Sick Children,
baking cookies was the order of the day
and boy did they execute.

Lee hits milestone

Islanders forward Anders Lee scored the 100th goal of his career and his 16th of the season during a
5-4 shootout
win against the Florida Panthers on Monday. Lee is the fifth United States-born player to reach the milestone for the Islanders.

Ask away

In this edition of
"Five Questions With..."
Edmonton Oilers forward Milan Lucic discusses the Boston Bruins Cup team from 2011, playing with Connor McDavid and his encyclopedic hockey memory.

Center of attention

William Karlsson was supposed to be a depth forward for the Vegas Golden Knights.
Now he is their top-line center
. He already has as many points this season (25) through 26 games as he had with the Columbus Blue Jackets all of last season. Lisa Dillman explains Karlsson's success.

They're building it

As Dec. 16 approaches, the date of the 2017 Scotiabank NHL100 Classic, historic
Lansdowne Park has already begun its transformation
into a hockey haven for the outdoor game between the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens. Check out the progress.