Tuesday was a night that reminded us all why we love hockey, humanity and hugs. Oh and while we're at it — who doesn't love
Alex Ovechkin and
Jay Beagle?
Wrapped into one evening, Capitals fans were able to experience all the feelings that made last spring's run to a Stanley Cup extra special.
A tight 3-2 Caps win over the Vancouver Canucks was most important and much needed. The Caps have now won two of three since the All-Star break and are all alone in second place in the Metropolitan Division, two points behind
Barry Trotz's Islanders.
Once again, there was a wonderful reminder of the team Trotz led to a Stanley Cup, as Jay Beagle made his return to Washington after signing a multi-year deal in Vancouver last July.
Beagle, one of the most popular Caps players in this era, started the game for the Canucks and was loudly cheered during pre-game warm-ups and a moving video tribute.
Thank you, Beags! pic.twitter.com/soQz5OSWHE
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals)
February 6, 2019 At the end of that tribute, Alex Ovechkin gave Beagle a hug near both benches. One leader to another, even if they now wear different colors.
And Jay Beagle leaves @CapitalOneArena as the @Canucks try & dodge the #SOTU gridlock to head to Chicago.#Caps @1067theFan #ALLCAPS #canucks pic.twitter.com/vu5qZIvH9m
— Chris Russell (@Russellmania621)
February 6, 2019 Moments after that hug, history was made again by the "Great 8" as Ovechkin became the all-time leading scorer among Russian-born players, passing his friend and former Capital Sergei Fedorov.
Just three minutes into the game, Ovechkin swooped behind the net with the puck after
T.J. Oshie forced a turnover. Ovechkin passed to
Nicklas Backstrom, whose shot was saved, but Oshie cleaned up the rebound.
Ovechkin's assist on the play gave him 1,180 total points (644 goals/536 assists) in 1,054 career games. Fedorov had 483 goals and 696 assists over 1,248 games in his
illustrious 18-season NHL career.
Ovechkin accomplished his feat in 193 fewer games. "It's pretty big. I appreciate everyone who did all the work with me," Ovechkin told reporters after the game.
The great @ovi8 with the puck from assist tonight that allowed him to pass his friend Sergei Fedorov for the most points among Russian born #NHL players. #Caps #ALLCAPS @NHL pic.twitter.com/dgpJgsVuRK
— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan)
February 6, 2019 The Caps were lousy in the second period after a dominant first frame in which they out-shot Vancouver 18-5. They killed off both Vancouver power plays, which has been an enormous problem. They overcame a penalty shot and hung on for dear life in the final moments to claim a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Beagle and the Canucks.
Tuesday was a night that proved the magic was back in Capital One Arena. If you were there, you shed a tear. If you watched on TV or
listened on 106.7 The Fan, you couldn't help but remember just how special the building and those who play in it have become to a sports community that desperately needed a shot in the arm.
