The Capitals superstar is chasing a goal-scoring standard. And also drawing negative fan reaction because of his past support for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The game proved to what fans could have hoped for: even if they lost, their team mounted a thrilling third-period comeback and they got to shower the scoreless Ovechkin with boos. Ovechkin remains tied with Jaromir Jagr for third in all-time regular season goals scored.
Sunday
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Vancouver Canucks
7 p.m., Rogers Arena. TV: Sportsnet. Radio: Sportsnet 650.
But a different Russian took centre stage as Evgeny Kuznetsov scored a hat trick, powering his team’s offence in the 4-3 overtime win against the hometown Canucks.