WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin has validated his decision to rest during the All-Star Break and returned on a tear that has taken the Washington Capitals forward to the top of the goal-scoring race.
There was a whisper of criticism late last month when the Russian announced he would not be playing in the All-Star Game because of a lower-body injury.
Some believed the three-time Hart Trophy winner was conveniently skipping out on his annual duties as one of the faces of the league.
It is hard to argue with the results, however, as Ovechkin has returned to the ice with a vengeance, scoring in all but one of his post break games.
He delivered a hat trick Thursday in a 4-3 victory over Minnesota that gave him an NHL-leading 34 goals.
The outburst was Ovechkin’s first three-goal game since 2013.
“It’s a good feeling,” he told reporters. “My parents actually called me (probably a couple weeks ago) and said, ‘It’s time for you to get a hat trick’.”
It may also be time for Ovechkin to break through and achieve his long awaited post-season success.
The 30-year-old has never reached the Eastern Conference finals, and his absence from All Star festivities may have also revealed his commitment to changing that.
The Capitals (40-9-4) have the top mark in the league and will get another chance to end their playoff shortcomings — from the looks of things — with a rejuvenated Ovechkin.
Flames 6, Sharks 5 (SO)
Center Joe Colborne and left winger Jiri Hudler scored shootout goals to lift the Calgary Flames to victory over the San Jose Sharks on Thursday.
The Flames led 4-1 after the first period but allowed two goals in the second and two in the third to fall behind 5-4. Calgary defenseman Kris Russell’s power-play goal at 8:08 of the final period evened the score.
Center Logan Couture was the lone San Jose player to convert in the shootout. In regulation, Couture had one goal and three assists.
Oilers 5, Maple Leafs 2
The Toronto Maple Leafs could not find a way to stop the Edmonton Oilers’ top line of Connor McDavid, Jordan Eberle and Benoit Pouliot.
McDavid scored two goals and added three assists, Eberle had three goals and an assist and Pouliot chipped in four assists, spearheading the Oilers to victory over the Maple Leafs on Thursday at Rexall Place.
It was the first five-point night of McDavid’s career and first hat trick for Eberle.
Josh Leivo and Jake Gardiner scored for the Maple Leafs.
Islanders 5, Kings 2
The New York Islanders scored three goals in less than eight minutes in the first period and maintained their season-long mastery of Pacific Division foes at Barclays Center with a victory over Los Angeles.
Casey Cizikas, Anders Lee, John Tavares, Travis Hamonic and Johnny Boychuk scored for the Islanders, while Thomas Greiss made 28 saves.
Kyle Clifford and Milan Lucic scored for the Kings, while Jhonas Enroth, starting in place of the injured Jonathan Quick, recorded 25 saves.
Blue Jackets 4, Ducks 3 (SO)
Cam Atkinson and Alexander Wennberg scored shootout goals, and Columbus came back to beat Anaheim at Nationwide Arena.
Joonas Korpisalo had 24 saves while Brandon Saad, Brandon Dubinsky and William Karlsson scored goals.
David Perron, Mike Santorelli and Ryan Garbutt scored for the Ducks, while Ryan Getzlaf had two assists and Frederik Andersen finished with 31 saves.
Other results: Flyers 5, Sabres 1: Avalanche 4, Senators 3; Bruins 6, Jets 2; Stars 4, Blackhawks 2. — Agencies
