On Nov. 5, Alex Ovechkin became the first player in NHL history to score 900 career regular-season goals.
The 40-year-old, in his 21st season after being selected by the Capitals with the No. 1 overall pick at the 2004 NHL Draft, had 7-9-16 totals in 20 games this season — giving him 904 career goals — before facing the Canadiens Thursday at the Bell Centre (7 p.m., TSN2, RDS).
After a slow start to the season, Ovechkin had scored in each of his last three games and in four of the last five. In 60 career regular-season games against the Canadiens before Thursday, he had 39 goals.
After the Canadiens’ morning skate Thursday, defenceman Alexandre Carrier was asked what impresses him the most about Ovechkin.
“I don’t know how long he’s been playing … but the fact that he still plays and his shot — he can shoot from anywhere and score a goal,” Carrier said. “So you got to know exactly where he is on the ice. His shot, definitely.”
Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin checks Canadiens defenceman Kaiden Guhle during the first period at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Feb. 17.
This will mark the first time the Canadiens have faced Washington since the Capitals eliminated them in five games in the first round of last season’s playoffs. Ovechkin scored four goals in those five games.
What did the Canadiens learn from that series?
“I think as a group, we learned how fast the game is in the playoffs,” Carrier said. “And when you get into the playoffs, everybody’s chipping in in a different way sometimes. Obviously, you’ve got a guy like (Tom) Wilson and Ovechkin finishing hits, but I feel like all their guys were finishing hits as well. So I think that’s what you learn as a group. It’s going to be a fun game tonight, I’m sure.”
The Canadiens will be looking to end a four-game losing streak (0-3-1). They are in third place in the Atlantic Division with a 10-6-3 record, two points behind the Detroit Red Wings (12-7-1) and one point behind the Boston Bruins (12-10-0).
The Capitals are 10-8-2 and in fifth place in the Metropolitan Division. They are coming off a 7-4 win over the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night in Washington in which Wilson scored two goals and Ovechkin had one. Wilson leads the Capitals in scoring with 11-9-20 totals.
The Capitals are 19-2-3 in their last 24 regular-season games against the Canadiens, dating to Nov. 28, 2009. They had a 2-0-1 record against the Canadiens last season.
Samuel Montembeault will be in goal for the Canadiens. He has struggled this season, with a 4-5-1 record, a 3.56 goals-against average and an .858 save percentage. Jakub Dobes, who was in goal for the Canadiens’ 4-3 shootout loss to the Blue Jackets Monday night in Columbus, has a 6-1-2 record with a 2.71 GAA and an .898 save percentage.
Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis was asked after practice Wednesday if there is a competition for the No. 1 goalie job.
“I think we’re there,” he said. “I think the boys are getting their games right now. We’re going to keep evaluating, but I expect both guys to make it hard.”
Carrier is one of Montembeault’s closest friends and is doing his best to help the goalie through what has been a difficult start to the season.
“You try to be there for him when things aren’t going as well as he wants,” Carrier said. “I think he’s been handling it pretty well. I think he’s doubling down in practices and trying to stay focused. I think he’s on the right path, too. It’s already getting better. I’m really confident he’s going to be back on his game when all the games count.”
This is the first of three games this season between the Canadiens and Capitals. They will meet again on Jan. 13 in Washington and on Feb. 28 at the Bell Centre.
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