Wild Capitals-Blue Jackets brawl allows Alex Ovechkin to snap scoreless streak and inch closer to Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goals record with OT game-winner

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins was furious to see Washington Capitals star Tom Wilson crumpled into his net. So the Latvian netminder decided to punch Wilson with his blocker and keep him down. 

Wilson eventually pushed his way from out of the meshing and shoved Merzlikins back before the referees stopped the fracas from escalating. Merzlikins was the only player penalized from the incident, a two-minute minor for roughing. 

The infraction came with 2:18 left in overtime, essentially giving the Capitals a 4-on-3 advantage for the rest of the extra frame. Then came the sweetest cherry on top for Capitals fans.  

Team captain Alex Ovechkin's 14-game goalless streak ended on the power play with a wrist shot that beat Merzlikins blocker side, leading to raucous boos from the Nationwide Arena crowd. 

Wilson and the rest of the Capitals made sure to get a few shouts at Merzlikins as he skated off the ice as part of their victory celebration. 

Elvis Merzlikins shoved and punched Tom Wilson while the Capitals star was prone in the net

Wilson got up and shoved Merzlikins before skating away and the referees intervening 

Merzlikins was given a minor penalty from the fracas, which resulted in a Alex Ovechkin goal

'Tom Wilson’s job is to get in people’s faces and get in the goalie’s face,' Columbus head coach Pascal Vincent said. 

'He’s creating a lot of emotions. The emotions were high. [Wilson] did what he had to do, and we reacted. It cost us the game.'

Capitals enforcer Tom Wilson has garner a reputation during his NHL career for being a hard-nosed agitator that isn't afraid to win by any means necessary, sometimes to his own detriment. 

Wilson is also a rare NHL brawler to have All-Star-level overall skill, leading to him playing in critical spots for Washington, including Thursday night's overtime against Columbus. 

'I was trying to get my stick. I got punched in the head,' Merzlikins said. 

'Before that. I think he was trying to get me hurt. Enough, I’m going to defend myself. … He got what he deserved. I don’t care.'

Merzlikins blamed Wilson for the incident, but the Capitals star wasn't penalized in the game

Ovechkin jumped into the arms of teammate John Carlson after scoring the game-winner

The Capitals mobbed Ovechkin after the tally before making sure Merzlikins heard their cheers

'Merzlikins was trying to create an odd-man rush and get in his way subtly obviously,' Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery said. 

'But for [Wilson] to hold his composure and draw the power play there, arguably you could say, was the difference in the game.'

Ovechkin's first goal since November 18, which was also the previous time the Capitals played the Blue Jackets, was No. 828 of his career, second on the NHL's all-time goal scoring list. 

The 38-year-old Ovechkin still trails Wayne Gretzky's 894 career goals.  

Washington and Columbus don't play again this season, with the Capitals sweeping all three regular-season games.