Ovechkin Keeps Scoring, Caps Keep Winning

Capitals 3, Sabres 1

BUFFALO, March 5 -- After scoring his second goal of the game, Alex Ovechkin skated toward the corner boards at HSBC Arena, waving his arms in the air, imploring the capacity crowd to increase the volume.

They did -- and he loved every second of it.

Ovechkin, who was roundly booed each time he touched the puck, achieved another milestone Wednesday night, scoring goals Nos. 53 and 54 to establish a career high and, in the process, lift the Washington Capitals to a 3-1 victory.

The NHL's leader in goals and points (92), Ovechkin also now possesses the second-highest single-season goal total in franchise history after passing Bobby Carpenter, who netted 53 in 1984-85. (Dennis Maruk owns the record with 60 goals in 1981-82.)

"I don't listen to the crowd," Ovechkin said. "I heard them booing after I score first goal. I just smile."

Nicklas Backstrom scored his second goal in two games for the Capitals, and goaltender Olie Kolzig made 25 saves to help them earn their fourth victory in five games, and more important, keep pace in the race for the playoffs.

They remained three points behind the Southeast Division-leading Carolina Hurricanes, who defeated the Thrashers in Atlanta, 6-3. The Capitals also pulled within two points of the Philadelphia Flyers for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference.

That, Ovechkin said, means more than any personal achievement.

"It's very interesting when you play for something," Ovechkin said. "Last few years we didn't play for something. After three months, we knew we weren't going for the playoffs so we start thinking about vacation. Now we just think about the playoffs."

But not all the news was good for the Capitals. Checking-line center and penalty-kill specialist David Steckel suffered a broken right index finger. He's expected to miss two to three weeks.

Despite the injury, all the talk in the visitors' locker room was about picking up two huge standings points in a building that has not been kind to the Capitals. It was their first win here in five tries.

"They want to win; they think they are ready to win," Coach Bruce Boudreau said of his players. "They know the sense of urgency right now."