Ovechkin’s 874th NHL goal gives Capitals OT win against Senators

Logan Thompson made 24 saves for his second straight shutout for the Capitals (30-10-5), who are 6-0-3 in their last nine games.

“It was a fun game. It was a playoff-type game,” Thompson said. “We knew they were going to come out hard. A lot of skill in that lineup over there. They have a coach that pushes them hard. We just kind of survived. We didn’t get to our game until the third. Thanks to the guys, we held stuck to it, just like we’ve done all year And ‘Ovi’ came in tight again.”

Thompson is 8-0-0 with a 1.48 goals-against average and .948 save percentage in his last eight starts.

“‘LT’ today was unbelievable,” Ovechkin said. “The first two periods, OT, third period, he was outstanding. I think we just kept rolling. You could see how many chances we had in the third. Obviously Tom (Wilson) had a breakout so I think it kind of snowballed and in the end we scored.”

Merilainen, who was also on his way to his second straight shutout, made 26 saves for the Senators (22-18-4), who are 3-0-1 in their last four games.

“I thought we played well,” Ottawa coach Travis Green said. “Did we have the look to win the game? Yes. Could we have played a little better? Yes, certain parts, but they have a good hockey team. Their goalie played well.”

Merilainen kept the game scoreless at 4:21 of the third period when he stopped a scoreless one-timer from Ovechkin on the power play. He then reached over with his right pad to rob Andrew Mangiapane at the left post at 5:47.

“Extremely impressed,” Senators defenseman Nick Jensen said of Merilainen. “It’s just, it’s a huge confidence booster for us when we have goalies out there who stand tall and confident in the net … and it’s exciting to see someone like that have success.”

Washington was 3-for-3 on the penalty kill.

“I thought (Thompson) was great, especially in the second period when we go on the water (outshot 9-5),” Carbery said. “To be able to come in at half-time going into the dressing room at 0-0 at that point I think was a significant achievement. And then the guys brought him on.”

NOTES: Ovechkin scored his 13th career overtime goal on the road, passing Jagr and John Tavares for most in NHL history. … Ottawa defenseman Donovan Sebrango had 11:38 of ice time in his NHL debut.