Alex Ovechkin talks tough return, record chase after scoring empty-net goal in Capitals’ 5-2 win (Source: Imagn)

The Washington Capitals beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday as Alex Ovechkin returned after missing 16 games with a broken fibula. He scored an empty-net goal to bring his career total to 869, putting him 26 away from Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record.

The Capitals performed well in Ovechkin’s absence, going 10-5-1. Coming to Saturday’s game, Andrew Mangiapane and Jakob Chychrun had a goal and an assist each. Logan Thompson made 35 saves in a strong performance for Washington. The Maple Leafs, struggling, are now 1-3-0 in their last four games.

The Maple Leafs opened the scoring when Simon Benoit’s shot deflected off Tavares at 3:14 of the first period. Mangiapane tied it 1-1 with a shot through Murray’s pads. Chychrun gave the Capitals the lead with a one-timer from the right circle. Thompson kept the lead intact with two key saves on William Nylander in the first period.

Toronto tied it at 2-2 in the second period when McMann scored on a rebound during a 2-on-1 rush. Nic Dowd restored Washington’s lead at 9:53 with a quick shot off a pass from Rasmus Sandin. Thompson made crucial saves to keep the Capitals ahead, including a stop on Pontus Holmberg and a breakaway save against Mitch Marner.

Tom Wilson made it 4-2 in the third period by deflecting Chychrun’s point shot on the power play. Ovechkin then scored an empty-net goal at 16:37 to secure the win and move closer to Gretzky’s scoring record.

Alex Ovechkin admitted that it was tough to adjust to the speed of the game but that he was happy to score.

“It was fun, it was tough. It was a different, different rhythm, different speed, but, I’ll take it,”l Alex Ovechkin said.

On being put in position for the empty-net goal, he said:

“He knew (that) I’m there. So, yeah, I’ll take it.”

Regarding Gretzky’s record, he added:

“Just take game by game, shift by shift and try to do my best.”

"Take it game by game, shift by shift, and try to do my best."

Alex Ovechkin joins @sportsnetkyle after scoring his 869th career goal in a 5-2 Capitals win against the Leafs. pic.twitter.com/9RttjwBJtM

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 29, 2024

Washington Capitals had fallen to the Bruins without Alex Ovechkin

The Washington Capitals, without Alex Ovechkin, lost 4-1 to the Boston Bruins on Monday at TD Garden.

Justin Brazeau scored first for Boston late in the first period with a power-play rebound. Jakub Vrana tied the game early in the second period with a one-timer during Washington’s power play.

Elias Lindholm scored the game-winning goal midway through the third period, finishing Brad Marchand’s pass on a 2-on-1 rush. Charlie Coyle added another goal, tapping in Marchand’s shot off the post. Marchand then scored an empty-net goal to secure Boston’s win.

Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said that his team defended well but had trouble creating chances.

“I thought we checked fine, didn’t give up a whole lot,” Carbery said (via NHL.com on Monday), “We just struggled to really generate anything substantial with the puck.”

The Washington Capitals (24-9-2) next play the Detroit Red Wings (13-18-4) on Dec. 29. The game is set for 5 p.m. EST.