When you think the universe has run out of words to describe Alex Ovechkin, he takes the ice again and the words start flowing.

Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour got another close look at the Capitals captain on Friday night in Raleigh. In what turned out to be one of the most thrilling games of the Capitals' season, Ovechkin stepped up for the Caps in the 4-3 shootout win, despite the Hurricanes devoting loads of attention to No. 8.

Brind’Amour took note after the game.

“That's why he’s more than likely gonna be the best goal scorer of all time,” Brind’Amour said. “It’s a very unique gift. Everyone stands in the same spot as he stands and shoots pucks, and his go in.”

Ovechkin seems to exceed expectations set for him night in, night out. In Carolina, with Washington down 3-2 with five minutes to go, Ovi ripped a laser off the power play in the faceoff. Tie game.

“He gets ‘em through--I mean, that one at the end, through four or five people and in the back of the net,” Brind’Amour said of the game-tying goal.

After a scoreless overtime period, the teams met in a shootout. Goalies reigned supreme as they stopped the first five shots before Ovechkin stepped in. He buried a backhand past Hurricanes’ goalie Antti Raanta to seal the win. Pay close attention to his ‘I can’t hear you!’ celebration to the away crowd after the shot.

Ovechkin’s regulation tally extended his goal-scoring streak to three straight games. He now has 39 on the season, which puts him at third in the league. At age 36, that’s almost unheard of in modern hockey.

“It sucks to be on the other end of it to watch it but he’s a special player for sure,” Brind’Amour said.

Ovechkin’s recent torrid streak has helped fueled the Capitals to go 8-0-1 so far in the month of March. A couple weeks ago, Washington looked like they’d stagnate at fourth place in the Metropolitan division. Now, though still in fourth, they’ve clawed to within one point of the third-place New York Rangers and eight points from the top of the division.