Ovechkin scores in return, Capitals top Maple Leafs

The 16-game absence was the longest consecutive absence of Ovechkin’s profession. He had missed solely 59 video games since coming into the League in 2005-06.

“I assumed he was strong. It’s going to take him a while,” Carbery stated. “I do know all of us need him to only hit the bottom working and play the way in which he left off in Utah however he’s missed quite a lot of time and wishes recreation reps to stand up to hurry. However I assumed he was strong, performed in all conditions we wanted him.”

The Maple Leafs went up 1-0 at 3:14 of the primary interval when Simon Benoit’s shot from the highest of the left circle deflected off Tavares on the high of the purpose crease.

“There’s no give up on this dressing room,” Thompson stated. “We knew it was going to be a tough recreation, we knew they performed final night time, they’d come out feeling good so give credit score to the fellows. We caught with it, it positively wasn’t a straightforward recreation. That’s a extremely proficient well-coached hockey membership over there.”

Mangiapane tied it 1-1 at 4:46 when he carried the puck on a 2-on-1 with Jakub Vrana and shot between Murray’s pads from the left face-off dot.

Chychrun gave the Capitals a 2-1 lead at 8:54 when he one-timed a move from Trevor van Riemsdyk on the high of the best face-off circle previous Murray’s glove for his tenth purpose of the season.

“I’m certain he desires a pair again however he hasn’t performed a ton of hockey,” Berube stated. “He battled, he fought.”

Thompson saved it 2-1, robbing William Nylander twice; as soon as at 14:27 when he reached again together with his glove to catch a shot on the purpose line whereas out of place, and once more at 17:25 when he stopped a breakaway.

“That occurs,” Nylander stated. “The goalie makes a terrific save. I actually had some nice scoring probabilities and didn’t capitalize in order that’s in all probability one of many the reason why (we misplaced) they usually performed nicely too. The possibilities I had early on although, that may have given us slightly little bit of a lead if I had been to attain.”

McMann tied it 2-2 at 8:10 of the second interval when he jammed in his personal rebound on a 2-on-1 with Max Domi.

NOTES: Ovechkin’s purpose was his sixtieth profession empty internet purpose, probably the most in NHL historical past. … Chychrun turned the third defenseman this season to achieve 10 targets, becoming a member of Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche and Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who every have 11.