Oh, Ovi, how we’ve missed you. Just like the NHL is better for having Sidney Crosby on the ice, it’s also better for having Alex Ovechkin at full speed and he was certainly that on Friday, scoring twice for the Caps.
1) Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals – Ovi tallied his first multi-goal game since October in Washington’s 3-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres and the Russian sniper is now on a five-game point streak, over which time he has tallied four goals and three assists. Nicklas Backstrom also scored for Washington and Tomas Vokoun stopped 25 of 26 shots for the win.
2) Daniel Alfredsson, Ottawa Senators – Alfie tallied his 400th career goal in style, potting the game-winner in overtime to lift the Sens past the Calgary Flames 4-3. Nick Foligno, Zack Smith and Erik Karlsson also scored for a Sens team that rallied from three goals down to win in OT. Craig Anderson got the win, stopping 17 of 17 shots in relief of Alex Auld.
3) Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators – Rinne stopped 35 of 36 shots and five more in the shootout to guide the Preds past the St. Louis Blues for a 2-1 win. Matt Halischuk scored Nashville’s lone regulation goal and Martin Erat tallied the only shootout goal for the win.
Honorable Mention
It wasn’t in the NHL, but Czech Republic goalie Petr Mrazek 52 shots in the World Junior Championships to send Team USA packing. The Detroit Red Wings prospect called it one of the best games he played in his life and has become a contentious figure at this year’s World Juniors because of his exuberant celebrations. I can’t help but wonder how NHL players would react to a goalie that celebrates they way Mrazek does.
Play of the Night
Brandon Dubinsky puts forth a tremendous effort, burying the puck on his backhand after dancing past a few Florida defenders.
Fight of the Night
This one makes the list, not because that the fight in and of itself was any good, but mostly for Tomas Kopecky’s “Oh Crap” moment when he realized that he was going to have to answer the bell against Mike Rupp.
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