Ovechkin’s Electric 2009 Home Opener (10/3/2009)

October 3, 2009 – Coming off back-to-back MVP seasons, the excitement was buzzing for what was set to be Ovechkin’s 5th season in the NHL. Ovechkin kicked off the 2009-10 season with a 2-goal 1-assist effort against the Boston Bruins but Capitals fans would have to wait until the second game of the season to see their superstar on home ice. In a Saturday night matchup against the Maple Leafs the Great 8 wasted no time giving the fans what they wanted scoring on his first shift of the game. It was one of those classic young Ovi games where every time he stepped on the ice he did something to get the fans going. A goal, huge hits, several dangles, and a couple assists rounded out what should go down as one of his best home openers, right up there with his 2-goal NHL debut in 2005 and his 4-goal game in 2017. It was a sign of things to come for Ovechkin as he would go on to have arguably his greatest all-around season, setting career highs in assists and points per game.

– 1st Period –
0:00 – Intro
1:09 – Goal
2:45 – Dangles and hit on Jamal Mayers
3:22 – Hit on Jeff Finger and chance
3:50 – Hit on Viktor Stalberg
4:03 – Assist #1 on Mike Knuble’s first goal as a Capital
5:08 – Rush up ice and chances

– 2nd Period –
5:30 – Shot off faceoff
5:44 – Steal leads to shot on goal
6:10 – Huge hit on Komisarek kicks off incredible shift that leads to a Semin goal
7:57 – Assist #2, great pass to Semin

– 3rd Period –
8:58 – Chance
9:52 – Ovechkam
10:50 – Dangles around Luke Schenn leads to chances
11:39 – Final buzzer

More classic Ovechkin games – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH8bFa0t7qpQfBYEXybnEr9NbAqFcPyyq