Ovechkin Scores, But Capitals Fall To Maple Leafs In 4-1 Drubbing

WASHINGTON, D.C. — At long last, Alex Ovechkin has tallied his first goal of the season.

It was just a blip on the radar Tuesday, however, as the Toronto Maple Leafs simply overpowered the Washington Capitals en route to a 4-1 win.

The Capitals (1-3-1) attacked Toronto goalie Joseph Woll early, tallying 16 shots on goal in the first period. But outside of a score called back for interfering with the goaltender, the Capitals made few waves amongst their scoring opportunities.

For Toronto, however, it was a different story. While the Maple Leafs only had five first-period looks, they were able to convert on a power play opportunity as Morgan Rielly handed them the first lead of the game.

Alex Ovechkin, after drawing a penalty on a breakaway, had a chance early in the second period to tie the score, but could not find a hole past Woll — ultimately leaving the Maple Leafs’ lead intact.

Then, the wheels truly fell off for the Capitals.

Not long after Ovechkin’s failed opportunity, Toronto’s John Tavares added the team’s second score. Less than a minute later, William Nylander pushed the Maple Leafs’ lead to three.

With five minutes to go in the period, Auston Matthews added a goal of his own — his seventh of the season — to further bury the Capitals.

Ovechkin was able to chip away with a power play goal in the second period — the 300th power play goal of his career — but the Capitals ultimately entered the second intermission facing a three-goal deficit. 

Little could be done by the Capitals by that point. They tallied a mere eight shots on goal in the final period, but could not cut the Maple Leafs’ lead by the final horn.

OFF TO THE BOX

Three Capitals tallied penalties in Tuesday’s game: Nicklas Backstrom, for hooking; Evgeny Kuznetsov, for delay of game; and Tom Wilson, for unsportsmanlike conduct.

UP NEXT

The Capitals travel to New Jersey for a one-game road trip. They’ll face the Devils Wednesday, with puck drop scheduled for 7:30 p.m.