On November 17, 2024, the Washington Capitals celebrated their first regular season victory against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena, securing a remarkable 5-2 win. This victory marked not only the Capitals' twelfth win of the season, moving their record to 12-4-1, but it also came with historical significance for their captain, Alex Ovechkin, who recorded his 31st career hat trick during the game.
The night was electric as Ovechkin, already one of the NHL's all-time greats, moved closer to breaking the legendary Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record. With three goals, Ovechkin is now just 29 goals shy of surpassing Gretzky's monumental milestone. His goals came at pivotal moments and showcased his enduring skill and tenacity, particularly as he approaches the late stages of his career.
The first period got off to a roaring start when Ovechkin scored on the power play just shy of six minutes in, assisted by John Carlson and Dylan Strome. This goal marked his eleventh of the season. Shortly after, defenseman Jakob Chychrun extended the Capitals' lead to 2-0 with his fifth goal of the campaign, also assisted by Strome. The Capitals maintained control for much of the period, outshooting the Golden Knights 12-6.
Yet, the Golden Knights were not going down without putting up some fight. Just before the first intermission, Brett Howden pulled one back for Vegas, creating tension as the home team reduced the deficit to 2-1.
Following the intermission, the Capitals quickly regained their two-goal lead. Jakub Vrana took advantage of some disarray among the Golden Knights’ defense early in the second period, netting his fourth goal of the season to make it 3-1. The Golden Knights, ignited by their home crowd, countered once again when Keegan Kolesar scored, bringing the score closer at 3-2.
With the back-and-forth energy of the game keeping fans on their toes, Ovechkin struck again for the Capitals late in the second period, adding his second goal of the night to bring the score to 4-2. This pivotal moment ensured the Capitals held their lead heading to the final frame.
The third period saw more excitement as the Capitals looked to solidify their victory. The Knights' Logan Thompson, returning to face his former team, gave it his all, stopping numerous shots, but Ovechkin was relentless. With just under twenty seconds left and the Golden Knights' net empty, Ovechkin sealed the game by scoring his third of the night, becoming the 12th player in NHL history to achieve a hat trick at the age of 39 or older.
At the end of the match, the Capitals had not only secured the win but also outshot the Golden Knights, with Thompson making 39 saves to lead his team. Ovechkin’s performance was the highlight of the night, overshadowing any concerns from the previous outings and proving his still potent skills on the ice.
This was one of those nights where everything fell perfectly for Ovechkin—his scoring ability, his captaincy, and the drive to lead his team past formidable opponents. Fans who thronged to the T-Mobile Arena witnessed history, cheering passionately as their captain continued to chase greatness. The Capitals not only left Vegas with two points but with renewed belief and focus as they continue their campaign for the 2024-25 season.
Overall, this victory against the Golden Knights might just be the boost the Capitals needed, not only for the standings but for their confidence moving forward. With their captain performing at such historic levels, it becomes clear: the Capitals are aiming for the playoffs, and with Ovechkin at the helm, anything seems possible.
