Ovechkin ties Fedorov, Capitals slide at seven after loss to Maple Leafs
via NHL.com
Alex Ovechkin tied Sergei Fedorov for most NHL points by a Russia-born player (1,179), but the Washington Capitals lost their seventh straight game, 6-3 to the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday.
“It’s gone now, that’s it. We have an [All-Star Game break], let’s move on,” Ovechkin said. “I think we made too many mistakes, all of us. We know the system, it works, but we try to do too much. Right now, we need the break. We’re going to take it, relax and enjoy time with the families and friends and come back ready to go.”
Nazem Kadri had a hat trick and an assist, William Nylander had three assists, and Frederik Andersen made 41 saves for the Maple Leafs (30-17-2), who had lost two in a row and four of their previous five.
“We wanted this one for sure,” Kadri said. “We wanted to feel good about ourselves heading into the break and I think we achieved that. Previous games we felt like we’ve been trending in the right direction, but we just hadn’t been getting the results. But it’s definitely nice to play a full 60 minutes and beat a good team like that.”
Nicklas Backstrom had a goal and an assist, T.J. Oshie had two assists, and Braden Holtby made 31 saves for the Capitals (27-17-6), who are 0-5-2 during their losing streak. It is the first time Washington has lost seven straight since Jan. 12-24, 2014 (0-5-2).
“We all need to step up here, we all need to play better as a team,” Backstrom said. “I think we’re not happy the way we’re playing. That’s something we need to think about over the break here. I think all over the ice is concerning. I shouldn’t say concerning, but we need better efforts from everybody.”
Kadri tallies hat trick as Leafs cruise past Capitals.
Check out tonight's @OntarioLottery Game Winning Numbers.#LeafsForever #That649Feeling pic.twitter.com/BfMAwd7RqR
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) January 24, 2019
Rielly reached the 50-point mark while skating in his 49th personal game of 2018-19. Only three other @MapleLeafs defensemen have reached the mark faster:
Borje Salming (42 GP in 1976-77)
Babe Pratt (44 GP in 1943-44)
Bryan McCabe (45 GP in 2005-06)#NHLStats #WSHvsTOR pic.twitter.com/S3qp9VpMPC— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 24, 2019
Big mood. #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/qh6SoPGXFR
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) January 24, 2019