Ovechkin surges into NHL goals lead for Capitals

ARLINGTON, Va. -- Alex Ovechkin believes it's too early in the season to be thinking about the race for the Rocket Richard Trophy, awarded annually to the leading goal-scorer in the NHL.

But the Washington Capitals captain is very much aware that he once again leads the NHL with 22 goals in 29 games heading into a home game against the Detroit Red Wings at Capital One Arena on Tuesday (7:30 p.m. ET; NBCSN, NBCSWA, NHL.TV).
"If you're there, you're there. There's nothing you can do with it," Ovechkin said Tuesday. "You just have to play … but right now you don't have to pay attention on it because it's just the middle of the season. But it's nice to be there."
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Ovechkin has gotten there by scoring 10 goals (and six assists) during an 11-game point streak that is two games shy of equaling his NHL high of 13 games from Jan. 1-Feb. 1, 2007 (eight goals, 12 assists). The Capitals (17-9-3) have gone 9-2-0 during Ovechkin's streak to move into first place in the Metropolitan Division with 37 points.
Ovechkin is on pace to score 62 goals, which would be his second most in his NHL career behind his 65-goal season in 2007-08.

Last season, Ovechkin scored his 22nd goal in the Capitals' 33rd game and went on to win the Rocket Richard for the seventh time with 49 goals.
If he leads the NHL in goals again this season, he'd be the first player in NHL history to do so eight times, breaking a tie with Bobby Hull.
"How many times can you be amazed at how many times he can put the puck in the net?" Capitals forward T.J. Oshie said. "He just keeps doing it. I imagine people in DC here are probably used to it and maybe I thought I was, but he just keeps finding ways to score."
That Ovechkin is having one of his best seasons at 33 years old makes it even more impressive. Those on his heels in the Richard race include 20-year-old Patrik Laine of the Winnipeg Jets and 22-year-old Brayden Point of the Tampa Bay Lightning, with 21 goals each. Those with 20 goals include David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins (22 years old), Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche (23) and Jeff Skinner of the Buffalo Sabres (26).
"They do a pretty good job, all those guys," Ovechkin said. "That's why I have to be [up to] pace and be in shape because those guys can catch you any time."
Coach Todd Reirden has referenced multiple times how Ovechkin reported for training camp this season two pounds lighter than last season (he's 235 pounds) and in better shape despite having a short summer to train following the Capitals' run to their first Stanley Cup championship. Ovechkin seems to have picked up where he left off last spring when he scored an NHL-best 15 goals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs.
As important to Reirden has been Ovechkin's leadership while the Capitals have dealt with a slew of injuries to key players such as Oshie (upper body) Tom Wilson (upper body) and Brooks Orpik (right knee), and his continued commitment to defensive-zone play.

"A lot was made of his leadership with us winning the Stanley Cup and the role that he had in it, but his leadership during the regular season this year has been the best I've seen it and that says a lot about him and how he's really leading the way," Reirden said. "He's been more vocal, his play has been exceptional and he's really been night in and night out a guy that's played at both ends of the ice and really given us a chance to have success."
Reirden trusts Oveckhin's defensive play enough that he's using him more when the Capitals are protecting the lead late in games and the opponent pulls its goalie. Ovechkin has taken advantage by scoring three empty-net goals in the past six games.
He scored three empty-net goals all of last season and none in 2016-17.
"The last couple years I had maybe a couple opportunities to play [with the opponent's goalie pulled], but we have the guys who can be in that position and use that opportunity," Ovechkin said. "I try to do my best. If you have a chance, you have to use it."
Reirden has leaned heavily on Ovechkin, playing him 21:02 per game this season, which is most among Capitals forwards and his highest average since he played 21:22 per game in 2010-11. Ovechkin averaged 20:09 in ice time last season, which was up from an NHL career low 18:22 in 2016-17, when the Capitals rested him more to try to keep him fresh for the playoffs.
That season, Ovechkin scored 33 goals, his fewest in a full NHL season since he scored 32 in 2010-11. The past two seasons have proven that Ovechkin plays better when he plays more, so Reirden hasn't hesitated to double shift him at times late in periods.
Reirden also noted that Ovechkin has continued to produce despite Washington's recent struggles on the power play, which is 3-for-24 (12.5 percent) over the past eight games. Ovechkin, who has a Capitals-best seven power-play goals this season and is tied with Brendan Shanahan for sixth in NHL history with 237, hasn't scored a power-play goal in his past nine games.
"It's amazing to talk about the growth of a guy that's had the career that he's had," Reirden said. "That he still can manage to find ways to improve, I have a lot of time for that type of person and that type of character."