Golden Knights top Capitals in OT, gain in wild card race

LAS VEGAS --Alex Ovechkin scored two goals, including his 50th of the season, but the Washington Capitals lost 4-3 in overtime to the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on Wednesday.

Ovechkin's 50-goal season is his ninth, tying Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy for the most in NHL history.
"I'm always saying, without my teammates and linemates, I'd never reach those milestones and goals, so thanks," said Ovechkin, who also had an assist. "I'm pretty happy."

Shea Theodore won it for Vegas at 2:09 of overtime when he deked T.J. Oshie and scored with a backhand in front.
"It's just been good for me this year," said Theodore, who has three overtime goals this season. "Hopefully we keep it rolling."
Evgenii Dadonov had a goal and an assist for the Golden Knights (42-31-5), who moved two points back of the Dallas Stars for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference.
"We know the reality of the situation right now," Vegas defenseman Alec Martinez said. "Our back is against the wall. These are must-win hockey games. Obviously, to get a win tonight and get those two points is huge, but really proud of the way the guys handled everything. We had some adversity throughout the game. It was a little bit back and forth, but it feels good.
"The job isn't done yet. We can enjoy this one for tonight, but we all know what the task at hand is."
Robin Lehner allowed one goal on 13 shots before being replaced at the start of the second period by Logan Thompson, who made 13 saves.
"As a goalie partner, you don't want to be in that situation," Thompson said. "Robin is a massive part of our team. He loves everyone, so you never want to see that."
Evgeny Kuznetsov had a goal and an assist, and Ilya Samsonov made 26 saves for the Capitals (43-23-11), who moved into a tie with the Pittsburgh Penguins for third place in the Metropolitan Division.
"I liked the structure of the whole game," Washington coach Peter Laviolette said. "[Vegas] is a good team. They're deep with offense, and I thought we did a pretty good job defensively."

Kuznetsov gave Washington a 1-0 lead at 6:18 of the first period, tapping in a rebound after Ovechkin's slap shot trickled under Lehner.
Martinez tied it 1-1 at 13:51 when his wrist shot from the left point skipped five-hole on Samsonov.
Ovechkin put the Capitals back in front 2-1 at 3:57 of the second period, scoring on a one-timer off a 2-on-1 with Kuznetsov.
Dadonov tied the game 2-2 at 2:05 of the third period, and Chandler Stephenson scored 49 seconds later to give the Golden Knights a 3-2 lead at 2:54 when he redirected a pass from Max Pacioretty on the power play.
"The tying goal by Dadonov was huge," Vegas coach Peter DeBoer said. "We got some spark from Dadonov's goal. Obviously, the power-play goal lit the building up. That was a huge momentum swing for us."

Ovechkin tied it 3-3 at 13:36 with a slap shot from the top of the right circle on a rush.
"He's one of the most incredible talents of all time," Martinez said. "He's a generational player. What he's done on the ice is incredible. A guy like that really grows the game and gets people involved. People want to watch him play. It's an honor to play against him."
NOTES:Ovechkin passed Teemu Selanne (48 in 2006-07) for the most goals in a season by a player 36 years or older in NHL history. … Kuznetsov has recorded a point in 20 of his past 22 games (nine goals, 18 assists). … Theodore has set career highs in goals (14) and points (48) this season.