Photo credit: Geoff Burke

Mike Green was terrible tonight, but luckily for the Washington Capitals, captain Alex Ovechkin, was not. Ovi recorded the 13th hat trick of his career to lead his team to an improbable comeback in the second period. He then added a fourth goal in third period to force overtime. Ovi, the league leader in goals, now has 26 goals on the season. He is six ahead of second-place Corey Perry and Alex Steen. He has 49 goals in his last 52 games. He is amazing.

Also, Ovi’s two power-play goals in the second stanza put him at 138 in his career, making him the Capitals franchise leader, leap-frogging one of my favorite players as a kid, Peter Bondra.

And now, why the hats flew.

Related: GIFs of Alex Ovechkin celebrating his fourth goal.

Goal #1, EVG, 14:15 of the First Period

Goal #2, PPG, 16:38 of the Second Period

Goal #3, PPG, 18:48 of the Second Period

Goal #4, EVG, 19:27 of the Third Period

Photo credit: Alex Brandon