Alex Ovechkin believes in a higher power. The hockey gods, at the very least.
The NHL's best goal-scorer was sprung on two breakaways in Game 1 against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night - the second after an incredible tip pass by Nicklas Backstrom - but was stopped each time by rookie Matt Murray.
Luckily for Ovechkin, his Washington Capitals teammate T.J. Oshie bailed him out, scoring his hat-trick goal on a wraparound in overtime.
"Thank God we win the game," Ovechkin said in the aftermath of his club's 4-3 win.
The win was the 20th in 50 playoff games for the Capitals against the Penguins, and only the third in 10 in overtime, according to StatsCentre.
#Capitals have taken just 1 of the prior 7 series vs the #Pens where they won the opening game (Won: 1994, Lost: 1991-92, 95-96, 2001, 2009)
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) April 29, 2016
Ovechkin finished with an assist, four shots, and a game-high seven hits in 25:01 in Game 1. He was far more of a factor than Sidney Crosby, who played a quiet 22:51 and ended a minus-3.
