Ovechkin scored an empty-net goal to make it 3-1 with 1:41 left and has scored 754 NHL goals, 24 this season.
"I think when they scored the first goal, it gave us a wake-up call," he said. "We really stepped it up at that point. We played with more intensity and we were more physical."
The Capitals (20-6-7) have a point in 15 straight games against the Red Wings, dating to Nov. 18, 2015 (12-0-3). Ilya Samsonov made 19 saves.
"I don't think we were on point for the first part of the game," Washington coach Peter Laviolette said. "It probably took until the second half of the second period for us to get there and start playing a better game."
The Red Wings (15-14-3) played for the first time since Dec. 18, a 5-2 home win against the New Jersey Devils. Thomas Greiss made 24 saves.
"It was tough just to get our legs and timing back after going so long without playing a game," Staal said. "We've really only had one practice with the whole team in the last two weeks because of so many guys being in (NHL COVID-19) protocol."
Pius Suter gave the Red Wings a 1-0 lead at 1:43 of the second period, putting in Sam Gagner's pass just as their power-play ended.
"I really liked the way we came out, especially after having so much time away," Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. "I didn't think our forecheck pressure was good enough, but we created chances and we were right there at the end of the game. Unfortunately they made the big plays they needed."
Kuznetsov made it 1-1 at 15:53, beating Staal before slipping the puck past Greiss. Capitals defenseman Lucas Johansen, making his NHL debut, got an assist and was plus-1 playing 12:18.
"This was pretty cool," Johansen said. "I was trying to just focus on the game, but now that it is over, I can enjoy it a little. I honestly didn't make a very good pass, but Kuznetsov is so skilled that you just have to get it near him and let him make something happen."
