The Daily: How Ovi’s Resurgence Fuels Capitals; Jagr Bobblehead Caper

Are the Washington Capitals playoff hopes being bolstered by Alex Ovechkin‘s chase of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career goal record? Or, is Ovechkin’s pursuit of Gretzky’s mark helping Ovechkin’s desire to get the Capitals into the NHL playoffs?

Whether it’s the chicken or the egg, Ovechkin’s increased scoring is having a major impact on both pursuits.

Ovechkin, 38, has netted eight goals in the past five games and 18 in his past 24 games since Jan. 27. He started the season with eight goals in his first 43 games. The Red Wings will be looking to slow down the Ovechkin tonight when they meet in DC in a game with heavy implications in the Eastern Conference wild card race. The Capitals, winners of five of their last six, own a one-point lead over Detroit and have one game in  hand.

This is the second game on Detroit’s five-game road trip against teams with better records. The Red Wings lost the first game 1-0 to the Nashville Predators on Saturday. The Capitals have 11 games remaining after tonight’s meeting, and the Red Wings will have 10.

Now with 26 goals this season, Ovechkin needs 47 goals to break Gretzky’s career record of 894 goals.

Two things I’d like to see before both retire:

Sidney Crosby 1,800 points

Alex Ovechkin 900 goals

Ovechkin is 47 away from beating Gretzky’s record, but 1,800 might actually be attainable as well with Crosby being 225 away and likely in shape to play til he’s 40

What an era pic.twitter.com/TIOw3GFi8H

— Shane Sander 🏒 (@SanderEDM) March 26, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• The Grand Rapids Griffins’ playoff outlook got a lift when the Red Wings returned Jonatan Berggren to the team. He had sat out the Red Wings’ last five games.
• Defenseman Simon Edvinsson is playing well enough to stay in Detroit’s lineup. The Red Wings will have a decision to make when Jake Walman is recovered from his injury.
• Lucas Raymond says the NHL playoff race is more fun than stressful. It’s like the Red Wings are already playing playoff games.
• Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff provides a Red Wings vs. Capitals preview for today’s game in Washington.

Red Wings Next Game

Captain Dylan Larkin and the Red Wings are in Washington to play the Capitals tonight  (7 p.m.) with Eastern Conference wild card position in play. The Red Wings won’t have to deal with tough Capitals forward Tom Wilson who is in the midst of a six-game NHL suspension.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Coach Jim Montgomery ripped his Boston Bruins team for their recent inconsistency.

Montreal: MHN weighs in on how close the Montreal Canadiens are to contending again.

Philadelphia: Jonathan Bailey writes about whether goaltending is going to cost the Philadelphia Flyers a playoff position.

Pittsburgh: Shelly Anderson provides details about the recovery of the Jaromir Jagr bobbleheads.  Pittsburgh Penguins.