On Dec. 29, 2007, handful of could have predicted that Alex Ovechkin would likely play – let alone score a number of goals – in a game at Eastern Conference-leading Ottawa. On Dec. 27, in a 4-3 overtime loss with Pittsburgh, Ovechkin sustained a deep cut previously mentioned his knee that essential stitches after making contact having Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang’s skate.15/16 Germany FC Bayern Munchen Shirt - #26 Sven Ulreich FC Bayern Munich Goalkeeper Soccer Jersey Authentic Red Away 15/16 Bundesliga Club Soccer Jersey

Ovechkin did not exercise the day before the game against your Senators,15/16 Germany FC Bayern Munchen Shirt - #22 Youth Tom Starke Replica Navy Third Soccer Jersey and remained a game-day conclusion for Bruce Boudreau’s club.

"Almost certainly I play," Ovechkin said.15/16 Germany FC Bayern Munchen Shirt - #26 Sven Ulreich Authentic Red Home Soccer Jersey "Once the morning skate tomorrow, we're going to see."

Boudreau, just 17 games into his tenure because head coach after changing Glen Hanlon on Nov.15/16 Germany FC Bayern Munchen Shirt - #27 Women's David Alaba Authentic Navy Third Soccer Jersey 22, received led the Caps to an 8-5-4 record, bringing the team returning to respectability after a 6-14-1 start.

But Ottawa, the defending Eastern Conference champions, presented a new challenge. The Senators were the course of the East with an general record of 25-8-4, and a 9-1-1 record in 11 games going into the contest against California.

With his parents arriving via Moscow to see the game, Ovechkin decided to lace up his skates. When the Richesse took the ice looking at a standing room only crowd of 20,294 from Scotiabank Place with their star inside uniform, it quickly evolved into apparent that the gap between your best and worst teams in the East was thinning.

Ovechkin’s first goal came on the power play in 4:45 of the initially period, when he blasted the actual puck between Martin Gerber’s pads to give the Caps a 2-0 lead.

Goal # 2 came early in the second period, when Ovechkin finished a two-on-one having Tom Poti to give the Caps some sort of 3-1 lead at 3:Thirteen of the second period. Ovechkin could add an assist in Nicklas Backstrom’s goal with A couple of.6 seconds left at that time to give the Caps a 5-2 lead heading into the third time.