Ovechkin scores in 5th straight, lifts Capitals past Predators

WASHINGTON -- Alex Ovechkin broke a tie midway through the third period and extended his goal streak to five games, lifting the Washington Capitals to a 3-2 win against the Nashville Predators at Capital One Arena on Wednesday.

Ovechkin, who also had an assist, has six goals during his streak and has scored 861 in his NHL career. He needs 34 to pass Wayne Gretzky (894) for the all-time lead.

“He in general, when he’s not scoring, provides a ton of life,” Washington coach Spencer Carbery said, “but when he’s going and pucks are on him and he’s skating and he’s on one of these runs, and when they’re going in for him, it’s noticeable on the bench. His teammates can feel that, and when he touches the puck everybody holds their breath a little bit.”

Connor McMichael and Aliaksei Protas also scored for the Capitals (9-3-0), who have won seven straight home games. Dylan Strome had two assists, and Logan Thompson made 33 saves.

“It was a tough one today,” said Ovechkin, the Washington captain. “[Thompson] did a great job to keep us in the game, making huge saves. We take it and move on.”

Juuso Parssinen and Steven Stamkos scored for the Predators (4-8-1), who have lost four of five. Juuse Saros made 33 saves.

“That effort and the work ethic, that’s the style of play that we want and probably one of the better efforts of the year,” Stamkos said. “It’s tough when you don’t get rewarded in those games, but these are the games that hopefully you can build on and replicate that besides the [six] penalties.”

Ovechkin gave the Capitals a 3-2 lead at 10:25 when he scored on a one-timer from the bottom of the right face-off circle off Strome’s pass from behind the net. It was Ovechkin’s eighth goal of the season and his 130th game-winner in the NHL.

“You knew it was coming,” Nashville coach Andre Brunette said. “You're on the bench and I guess I've seen him too many times. I've played against him, I've coached against him, I've watched him, and he just finds that, and when it's on his stick it's gone. That's a big-time shot from obviously arguably the greatest goal-scorer of all time.”

Marc Del Gaizo appeared to tie it 3-3 at 12:13, but the goal was waved off for goaltender interference. Nashville challenged the call but was unsuccessful.

Thompson made a point-blank save on Filip Forsberg’s redirection attempt with nine seconds remaining and Saros pulled for the extra attacker.

“That guy usually has my number,” Thompson said. “So I just was kind fading back there in the blue paint and was fortunate that he put it into me.”

Parssinen put the Predators in front 1-0 at 3:12 of the first period when he deflected Luke Evangelista’s point shot.

McMichael tied it 1-1 at 4:26, scoring in front of the crease off the rebound of Matt Roy’s shot from the point.

Protas gave the Capitals a 2-1 lead at 15:03 of the second period, taking a pass along the end line from Ovechkin, cutting in front and scoring to the stick side on Saros.

“Seven hundred assists don’t come from nothing,” Protas said of Ovechkin’s passing. “He’s a great playmaker, just great all-around player. It’s a pleasure and fun to play with him.”

Stamkos tied it 2-2 31 seconds later when he reached out at the side of the net to redirect Alexandre Carrier’s shot from the right circle at 15:34.

“Today we worked a lot smarter,” Stamkos said. “We forechecked, we hounded, we created turnovers. Like I said, the 5-on-5 game was a lot better tonight and if we can replicate that moving forward, I like our chances.”

NOTES: Ovechkin became the third player in NHL history to have a goal streak of five or more games at the age of 39 or older (Brett Hull, Detroit Red Wings, seven games, Nov. 26-Dec. 8, 2003; Johnny Bucyk, Boston Bruins, six games, Dec. 10-19, 1974). … Roy had an assist, three shots on goal, three blocked shots and five hits in 20:07 of ice time in the defenseman’s return after missing 10 games because of a lower-body injury. … Strome has 10 points (one goal, nine assists) during a five-game game point streak. His two assists gave him 200 in 448 NHL games. … Thompson is 6-0-0 with the Capitals since they acquired him in a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights on June 29. … Washington owner Ted Leonsis got his 1,000th win as an NHL owner. He assumed ownership of the team ahead of the 1999-00 season. … Predators forward Tommy Novak was a late scratch because of an upper-body injury.