Not even an Alex Ovechkin hat trick can help the Washington Capitals snap out of their recent skid, and this one made some history. Ovechkin's three goals were overpowered by Tomas Hertl's hat trick, including a game-winner in overtime, to lift the San Jose Sharks past the Capitals, 7-6. The Capitals seemed to be on their way to snapping their now six-game losing streak, but Evander Kane slammed home the puck with a second left on the third-period clock to force overtime. Kane's game-tying goal was his second of the night, while Hertl's goal came 1:48 in to overtime to give the Sharks the victory.
Ovechkin's hat trick made him the first player with three hat tricks in one season in their 14th year or later since Jarome Iginla did it in the 2005-2006 campaign. The star also added an assist on the night, while also passing Dave Andreychuk for 14th place on the all-time goals list at 643. He is just one point away from tying Sergei Fedorov for the most points by a Russian-born player in NHL history. Fedorov finished his career with 1,179 points.
Hertl also added an assist to go along with his big night for San Jose, while Joe Pavelski scored and had three assists to help the Sharks snap their three-game losing streak. Logan Couture had a goal and two assists, while Martin Jones made 33 saves to get the win, despite giving up so many goals. In fact, the Sharks have given up at least six goals in each of their past four games.
The Capitals now sit in a tie for third place in the Metropolitan Division with the Pittsburgh Penguins, this after leading the division for most of the first half. T.J. Oshie had a goal and two assists, while Evgeny Kuznetsov had a goal and an assist, and Andre Burakovsky scored on their home ice. Braden Holtby made 36 saves in the loss for the Capitals, who will visit the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night. On the other end, the Sharks are happy to be back in the win column as they move on to host the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday night.
Ovechkin's hat trick made him the first player with three hat tricks in one season in their 14th year or later since Jarome Iginla did it in the 2005-2006 campaign. The star also added an assist on the night, while also passing Dave Andreychuk for 14th place on the all-time goals list at 643. He is just one point away from tying Sergei Fedorov for the most points by a Russian-born player in NHL history. Fedorov finished his career with 1,179 points.
Hertl also added an assist to go along with his big night for San Jose, while Joe Pavelski scored and had three assists to help the Sharks snap their three-game losing streak. Logan Couture had a goal and two assists, while Martin Jones made 33 saves to get the win, despite giving up so many goals. In fact, the Sharks have given up at least six goals in each of their past four games.
The Capitals now sit in a tie for third place in the Metropolitan Division with the Pittsburgh Penguins, this after leading the division for most of the first half. T.J. Oshie had a goal and two assists, while Evgeny Kuznetsov had a goal and an assist, and Andre Burakovsky scored on their home ice. Braden Holtby made 36 saves in the loss for the Capitals, who will visit the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday night. On the other end, the Sharks are happy to be back in the win column as they move on to host the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday night.
