Ovechkin is all smiles after scoring twice

MONTREAL -- After failing to even get a shot on goal in Game 1, Alex Ovechkin now has scored four times in Washington's series against Montreal -- and the Capitals are one win away from eliminating the Canadiens.

Ovechkin scored two goals in Wednesday's 6-3 victory at Bell Centre, the Capitals' third in a row after they lost Game 1 at home in overtime. The potential deciding Game 5 is Friday back at Verizon Center.

Ovechkin, who was wearing the hard hat after the game, a prize given to the Capitals' player deemed to be the hardest-working player in the game, met the media shortly after Game 4. Here's part of what he had to say?

Q: Can you talk about the hard hat you are wearing right now very proudly?

Ovechkin: "Yeah, it's for the hardest-working guy on the team, but Varly (Semyon Varlamov) has the Russian side and I think different guys deserve it, too."

Q: You were being outhit, outshot and outscored in the second period until Mike (Knuble) scores that shorthanded goal late. How big was that?

Ovechkin: "I think it was a pretty big goal. Again, we played great shorthanded. You know, Gordo (Boyd Gordon), what can I say about him? He's a hard-working guy and when he makes plays like this it means a lot for our team."

Q: Did Varly (Semyon Varlamov) win that game for you guys in the second period with 20 saves?

Ovechkin: "Yeah, he makes big saves and he keeps us in the game. In the second period we didn't play well and it was a little bit frustrating and they use it, but in the third period we came out strong to win the game."

Q: Did you use your speed tonight more than maybe we saw in the first couple of games?

Ovechkin: "Yeah, you know, I'm just getting into shape, I think. I feel pretty good. Our line today, the first couple of periods, we tried to find a way to play better…and we find a way."

Q: On that goal in the third (Ovechkin's second), are you looking for an opening or are you just looking to shoot the puck as quickly as possible?

Ovechkin: "I just make a move and I know Backy (Nicklas Backstrom) was on my right side so it was kind of a 2-on-1. (Defenseman Hal) Gill's stick was there so I made a move and made the shot. It was lucky. Price didn't make the save, so it's good."

Q: What did you think of Alexander Semin's play to get you the puck on your second goal?

Ovechkin: "Well, you can say some bad things about how he plays, but he's getting better and in this kind of game he improved himself. Every guy has to step up. He didn't feel good and different guys helped him. Everybody pushed and pushed him and he made a big play so we could score the goal."

Q: Did he draw the extra man and give you the center lane because of his stick handling?

Ovechkin: "I think he's one of the best players in the League who can control the puck and give a great pass. He used it tonight and in an important moment."

Q: How big was the power-play goal?

Ovechkin: "Important goal because it was the first goal in the game, and I think that kind of changed our momentum on the power play. I think we feel pretty good. It's coming and I hope next game we're going to score more."

Follow Dan Rosen on Twitter at: @drosennhl