Capitals-Senators Review: The Great Eight Nets Three in 7-4 Win

Alex Ovechkin scored three times in the first two periods, leading his Washington Capitals past the struggling Ottawa Senators, 7-4, before another sellout crowd at the Verizon Center. The "Great Eight" increased his league-leading goals total to 36, after scoring five goals in the two afternoon games over the weekend.  For a player that notoriously dislikes the early games, even Ovechkin himself can not argue with the results. After the statement win over Detroit Saturday, the Caps could have been in for a let down against Ottawa, disappointingly mired in the bottom of the Eastern Conference.  But coach Bruce Boudreau's charges came out from the first face-off, playing with determination and brilliance, to quell any thoughts the Senators had of pulling off the upset, despite allowing Sens captain Daniel Alfredsson to open the scoring just over three minutes into the game. Washington followed that goal with two of their own in the first, both in spectacular fashion on the power ... (link)