WASHINGTON — By the time the puck dropped at 7:08 p.m. at Capital One Arena on Thursday night, The Ovi Show had already begun.
In his first home game since scoring his 800th career NHL goal, Alex Ovechkin was showered with admiration, sprinkled with wonder. A pregame video recapped his hat trick two nights prior. The “Ovi! Ovi!” chants rained down from the 400 level when he was announced in the starting lineup. His son, Sergei, revealed an “800″ banner that hung over second 119.
Jake Oettinger spoiled the party — flipping the metaphorical table with a season-high 45 saves, and sullying the punch bowl by delaying history in a 2-1 Stars win over the Capitals.
