With an assist on John Carlson's third period goal Monday - his second point of the game - Ovechkin took over top spot on Washington's all-time playoff scoring list, passing Dale Hunter.
With his assist in the third period, Alex Ovechkin passed Dale Hunter (72) for first place on the #Caps playoff points list.
The veteran defenseman had to be helped off the ice Monday after being crunched into the glass by Ryan White of the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period of Game 3 of their first-round playoff series.
The early prognosis didn't appear positive, according to NBC analyst Pierre McGuire.
McGuire, as Orpik was being helped off the ice right in front of him: "He's not responding to any commands right now." #Caps#Flyers
Mason may have been slightly screened by defenseman Radko Gudas, but the shot from just inside the blue line was the latest in head-scratching goals by the Capitals.
For Ovechkin, the goal gives him 72 career playoff points, tying him with Dale Hunter for the most in Capitals history.
Before a moment of silence, the touching video was shown above center ice, highlighted by a quote from captain Claude Giroux that read, "He is the Philadelphia Flyers," followed by Snider himself saying, "I am the luckiest man alive."
Snider passed away April 11 at age 83 after a battle with cancer.
Ovechkin has been a wrecking ball, totaling 11 hits through the two games, with his biggest collision knocking Flyers forward Sean Couturier out of the series.
With high aspirations of a deep playoff run, Ovechkin hasn't found his way to the score sheet as often as usual, but he's doing what it takes to win a series, something he knows falls on his shoulders as team captain.
"I think it's a time when you have to not just score goals and do some offensive stuff, but you have to set the tone in different ways," Ovechkin told Chuck Gormley of CSN Mid-Atlantic. "Physical game, smart play in the neutral zone, defensive zone, it doesn't matter which area."
"It's part of my game and I have to lead the way in that category and the boys are going to follow me."
Washington looks to gain a 3-0 stranglehold over the Flyers on Monday night.
Fans in attendance for Game 3 between the Philadelphia Flyers and the Washington Capitals at Wells Fargo Center on Monday will take home a memorable keepsake.
The Flyers will be handing out shirts with the team's logo made from the silhouette of former owner Ed Snider, who died exactly one week ago after a battle with cancer.
Every fan at tonight's game will receive this shirt honoring Ed Snider.
After losing the lead and ultimately falling in overtime in Game 3, Gallant is confident the Panthers can claw back into a series tie.
"I know it's the playoffs but I thought we've played three good games in this series," Gallant told Mike Morreale of NHL.com. "This series could easily be 2-1 in our favor, but they got some breaks. I thought we had a great Game 1, and the teams were pretty evenly matched in Games 2 and 3."
"I believe this team will bounce back because we've done it all year," Gallant added.
The Panthers' limited postseason experience was the story heading into the series, but three games in, Gallant is pleased with the play of Florida's youngsters.
"It's just like another game for these young kids," Gallant said. "It's the playoffs so emotions will be amped up a little bit, but I think our kids have played outstanding and I've been really happy."
Game 4 is set for Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET in Brooklyn.
Drew Doughty has no interest in trying to recreate history.
Facing the prospect of a second 3-0 first-round series hole at the hands of the San Jose Jose in the past three years, the Los Angeles Kings defenseman is adamant about the need to get things going immediately.
"We have a lot more to give, and it has to start tonight," Doughty told reporters Monday in advance of Game 3.
"There's no way we can go down another game."
Only four teams in NHL history - including the 2014 Kings - advanced after falling into a 3-0 series deficit, and Los Angeles has handed San Jose home ice advantage by dropping the first two games of the series at home.
A loss tonight would put the Kings in a tough spot, or put the Sharks right where they want them, depending on how you look at it.
Not many predicted the Sharks would be up 2-0 on the Los Angeles Kings heading back to San Jose. But that's precisely the case - and it should come as a surprise to no one.
Since the late-February trade deadline, the Sharks have been playing their best hockey, outshooting and outchancing their opponents by a large margin. They're also the NHL's undisputed best road team.
Some may say the Kings have the Sharks right where they want them. In 2014, San Jose had a 3-0 stranglehold in its first-round series with Los Angeles. The Kings won four straight, outscoring the Sharks 18-5 en route to winning their second Stanley Cup in three seasons.
These Sharks, though, appear different.
In 2014, San Jose came out flying, outscoring L.A. 13-5 in the opening two games. Down 2-0 in Game 2 after the first period, the Sharks exploded for seven goals in about 26 minutes, winning 7-2. San Jose took full advantage of defensive coverage mistakes by its opponent.
"If we're not playing the way we're supposed to, having the coverage we're supposed to, then those types of things are going to happen," Kings defenseman Robyn Regehr said after his team's loss.
Through two games of this season's series, Los Angeles isn't making the same mistakes that led to the blowouts of 2014. Games 1 and 2 were intense. They had a do-or-die feel to them, already, both one-goal games, and the Sharks are showing the kind of resilience that may give them the mental edge they previously lacked.
In Game 1, the Sharks blew a 2-1 lead and fell behind 3-2 after Trevor Lewis scored shorthanded late in the second period. In the past, that would've been it for the Sharks. Instead, they responded, with Tomas Hertl scoring 30 seconds later to tie the game. Seventeen seconds into the third period, captain Joe Pavelski scored what would hold up as the game-winner.
Game 2 played out a bit differently, with San Jose jumping out to an early lead. Despite relentless pressure from the Kings in the final half of the third period, the Sharks held on, with first-year playoff goalie Martin Jones standing tall.
The Sharks have struggled in the playoffs since they entered the league in 1991, and are known for their spring collapses. This could be the year the narrative changes.
Music City surprise
The Predators have a 2-0 lead on the Anaheim Ducks as the series shifts to Nashville. It's the first time the Predators have won the opening two games of a playoff series in their history.
"We were just stupid out there," Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau said after Game 2. "The penalties we take sometimes are just so selfish and so dumb. Quite frankly, we don't deserve a break if we're just going to be yelling and being stupid all night long."
In Game 2, Nashville had five power-play opportunities, compared to Anaheim's one. Shea Weber's goal with the man advantage held up as the winner.
Jimmy's gettin' the hook
After losing the opening two games in Tampa Bay, Detroit switched things up in a big way in Game 3, going with goaltender Peter Mrazek over Jimmy Howard. The Red Wings played a much tighter defensive game, allowing Mrazek to settle in, and he needed to make only 16 saves for the shutout.
It was Mrazek’s third career playoff whitewash, and all three have come against the Lightning. This raises the question: Why didn't Mrazek start in goal in Game 1?
Phil the net
Phil Kessel has two goals and an assist in two playoff games with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He's up to 15 goals and 24 points in 24 career postseason games, showing he can be a valuable piece on a team ready to win.
Unfortunately for Pittsburgh, it has other issues right now. After a solid debut playoff start from Jeff Zatkoff, he struggled in Game 2, allowing four goals on 28 shots. It'll be interesting to see how the Penguins adjust as the series shifts to Madison Square Garden.
