Capitals' Alex Ovechkin nets game winner vs. Predators, extends goal streak

Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Alex Ovechkin calmly slid into the right circle and sniped a snapshot past a blinded Juuse Saros to lead the Washington Capitals to a 3-2 triumph over the Nashville Predators.

Ovechkin netted the score with 9:35 remaining in the victory Wednesday at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The veteran forward has now scored in five-consecutive games for the 9-3-0 Capitals.

"It was a tough game," Ovechkin told reporters. "They played hard. They positioned when they had to make points and make a push.

"They are a great team, obviously."

Ovechkin also registered an assist. Fellow forwards Aliaksei Protas and Connor McMichael scored the Capitals' other goals in the tight home victory.

Predators forwards Juuso Parssinen and Steven Stamkos scored in the loss. Goalie Logan Thompson made 33 stops for the Capitals.

"He has been so clutch when we've needed a big save," Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said of Thompson.

Parssinen lit the lamp for first blood 3:12 into the night. McMichael answered by beating Saros about 1:14 later to tie the score. Protas put the Capitals ahead with another goal with 4:57 remaining in the second period, but Stamkos tied the game for a second time just 31 seconds later.

The Predators outshot the Capitals throughout the third period, but it was Ovechkin who finally broke the deadlock during a scramble in front of the road net.

Capitals defenseman Martin Fehervary fired in an entry pass from the left flank to start the sequence. The puck darted behind the Predators goal and wrapped around to Ovechkin before it found forward Dylan Strome. Strome sat behind the net and sent a pass back out to Ovechkin as he drifted into the right circle. Ovechkin finished the play by one-timing a shot into the upper left corner of the Predators net.

The Predators blasted a dozen shots on goal over the final nine minutes, but could not beat Thompson for another equalizer.

Ovechkin, 39, is now just 33 goals from tying Wayne Gretzky's record (894) for the most career scores in NHL history. He is on track to score 46 more this season.

Ovechkin and the Capitals will host the fellow future Hall of Famer Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins (5-7-2) at 7:30 p.m. EST Friday at Capital One Arena.