It's serendipitous that the Washington Capitals are playing the Calgary Flames because Alex Ovechkin is on fire.

Ovechkin continued his recent hot streak with an early goal to give the Caps a 1-0 lead over the Flames after 20 minutes.

Ovechkin's 17th goal of the season came just 1:11 into the game, the fastest score that the Caps have had so far this season. On an early power play, Marcus Johansson set up an open Ovechkin for a one-timer from the left faceoff circle that beat Miikka Kiprusoff. It was Ovechkin's sixth power play goal of the season; he had seven last season. He has 10 points in his last seven games.

The pace slowed done significantly after Ovechkin's goal, but both Washington and Calgary had their chances. The Caps outshot the Flames 8-4.

In his first game since November 11, Mike Green took five shifts in the first period totaling 4:40.