Ovechkin scores for the fifth straight time and lifts the Capitals past the Predators

Ovechkin, who also had an assist, scored six goals during his streak and totaled 861 goals in his NHL career. He needs 34 to overtake Wayne Gretzky (894) and secure the all-time lead.

“He generally provides a lot of life when he's not scoring,” Washington coach Spencer Carbery said, “but when he's playing and pucks are on him and he's running and he's making one of those runs, and when they go.” For You can feel it on the bench. His teammates feel it, and when he touches the puck everyone holds their breath a little.”

Connor McMichael and Aliaksei Protas also scored for the Capitals (9-3-0), who have won seven straight home games. Dylan Strome had two assists and Logan Thompson made 33 saves.

“It was a tough call today,” said Ovechkin, the Washington captain. “(Thompson) did a great job making great saves to keep us in the game. We’ll take it and move on.”

Juuso Parssinen and Steven Stamkos scored for the Predators (4-8-1), who have lost four of five games. Juuse Saros made 33 saves.

“That performance and the work ethic, that’s the style of play we want and probably one of the better performances of the year,” Stamkos said. “It's tough when you don't get rewarded in games like that, but these are the games you can hopefully build on and repeat apart from the (six) penalties.”

Ovechkin gave the Capitals a 3-2 lead at 10:25 when he scored a one-timer from the bottom of the right faceoff circle after Strome's pass behind the net. It was Ovechkin's eighth goal of the season and his 130th single-game win in the NHL.

“You knew it was coming,” Nashville coach Andre Brunette said. “You're sitting on the bench and I think I've seen him too many times. I've played against him, I've practiced against him, I've watched him, and he just finds that, and once it's on his racket, it's gone. “It’s a great shot from probably the best goalscorer of all time.”