Alex Ovechkin has been regarded as one of the most dynamic goal scorers in the NHL for many years. Recently, he hasn't lived up to that label.
Ovechkin looks to avoid the longest goal-scoring drought of his career Saturday night when the Washington Capitals host the Southeast Division rival Atlanta Thrashers.
Ovechkin hasn't scored a goal in nine consecutive games, matching the longest drought of his career from Oct. 13-Nov. 8, 2008. He's scored 29 goals in 40 career games against Atlanta, but only one in four meetings this season.
Ovechkin appeared to end his drought and tie Thursday's game against Dallas with 7.6 seconds remaining, but the referees called him for goaltender interference and disallowed the goal, preserving Washington's 2-1 loss. The defeat was the first in five games for the Capitals (18-7-2), who got their lone goal from Mike Knuble.
Coach Bruce Boudreau received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in voicing his disagreement with the call.
"What do you want me to say that I can't get fined for?'' Boudreau said. "I mean, if you look at the call, Ovie doesn't touch the guy. Their guy slides into the goalie and takes him out of the play, and the one ref is telling me Ovie's in the (crease)."
Ovechkin, who had six assists during Washington's four-game winning streak, was held without a point. He also got called for roughing, leading to one of six power plays for the Stars.
"They played hard, we played hard," Ovechkin said. "They had too many power plays and we don't. We dominated the first period and they had too many power plays in the second period. They just controlled the second period. And in the third period, we bounced back, we scored a goal, but the referee didn't recognize it.''
Atlanta (13-10-3) hopes to shut down Ovechkin after failing to contain another superstar Thursday. The Thrashers allowed a hat trick to Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby in a 3-2 loss.
The defeat snapped Atlanta's franchise record-tying six-game winning streak. Ondrej Pavelec lost for the first time since Nov. 17, snapping an individual six-game streak - a club record for goaltenders.
Pavelec's winning streak began Nov. 19 in the last meeting between these teams. He made 29 saves and recorded his third career shutout in the Thrashers' 5-0 home victory.
"They are one of the best teams in the NHL,'' Pavelec said of the Capitals following that game. "If you play hard against them, you can beat them. We showed a lot of character and we showed we can play great hockey against the best teams.''
Atlanta winger Evander Kane has scored five of his nine goals this season against Washington, including a pair of two-goal games. However, Kane has only one goal and one assist since the teams' last meeting.
Dustin Byfuglien, the NHL's third star for November, had his career-high six-game point streak halted against Pittsburgh. He leads the Thrashers with 27 points, but has one goal and no assists against the Capitals this season.
Atlanta has lost three of four on the road, which could pose a problem heading to Washington. The Capitals are 12-1-1 at home on the season and are 9-0-1 in their last 10 at the Verizon Center.
These teams have split their four meetings thus far in 2010-11, with the home team winning each time.
