Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Ovechkin set an NHL record by reaching 30 goals in 18 seasons and the visiting Washington Capitals topped the Detroit Red Wings 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Dylan Strome reached the 300-point mark by scoring the Capitals' opening goal.

Charlie Lindgren made 42 saves and came up one second short of recording his sixth shutout as the Capitals snapped a six-game winless streak. Their last victory also came at the Red Wings' expense on March 26.

Washington (37-30-11) improved its chances for an automatic or wild-card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Patrick Kane scored the only goal for Detroit (38-32-8). Alex Lyon stopped 21 shots, but the Red Wings absorbed a damaging loss in their drive for a wild-card berth.

There were plenty of quality scoring chances in the opening period but neither team was able to break through.

Detroit continued to pepper the Washington net in the first 10 minutes of the second period, including J.T. Compher's shot off the left post, but still couldn't get one past Lindgren.

The Capitals' Nicolas Aube-Kubel banged a shot off the post with six minutes remaining in the period. Strome finally broke the deadlock with 2:13 left in the second period.

Strome skated into the right circle and fired a shot past Lyon's glove. Martin Fehervary was credited with an assist on Strome's 27th goal.

Washington made it 2-0 with 7.2 seconds left in the second period. Detroit defenseman Moritz Seider lost the puck at center ice.

T.J. Oshie then set up Ovechkin, who rifled a shot from the left circle that beat Lyon on the stick side.

The Red Wings' Dylan Larkin was denied by Lindgren early in the third on a breakaway. Detroit was awarded its first power play with 13:27 remaining, as the Capitals had too many men on the ice. David Perron had a shot go off the crossbar as the Wings still came up empty.

Detroit received another power play with 4:12 left when Oshie was whistled for hooking. The Wings also pulled Lyon for an extra skater but had several shots blocked.

Kane scored in the final second during a scramble in front of the net.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Dolphins' Tua Tagovailoa reportedly makes physical change amid contract talks
Do Oilers need more from Connor McDavid to get to Stanley Cup Final?
All-Rookie teams show gems available all over draft
The NBA has not witnessed this much parity in 50 years
Knicks expected to be 'aggressive' in upgrading their roster
Drew Bledsoe offers advice for Patriots rookie QB Drake Maye
2024 AFC revenge games: Brothers, 'Stefon Diggs Bowl' to take center stage
2024 NFC revenge games: Which game should Cowboys, others have circled?
How All-Star Race victory could turn Joey Logano's season around
Xander Schauffele's triumph could open the floodgates for his career
Anderson Silva, Chael Sonnen will finish off their trilogy in a boxing ring
Ranking the five best MLB free-agent signings of offseason
Veteran WR, former first-round pick announces NFL retirement
Oilers advance to West Final again after holding off Canucks in Game 7
Bengals star WR not expected to sign franchise tender before OTAs
Red Sox RHP diagnosed with ligament damage in elbow
Watch: Caitlin Clark shows off range with logo three, but Fever fall short
Former Dolphins receiving leader announces his retirement from NFL
Detroit Lions dominate PFF's top-25 players under 25
Hall of Famer, legendary Raiders offensive lineman dead at 86

Want more sports news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.