WASHINGTON — Last season, it took Alex Ovechkin quite a bit to get going scoring-wise. This year, it's a different story, as he has five goals through nine games.

When it comes to what's working for the 39-year-old, he was all smiles, grinning and taking a shot at his critics.

"Empty netters, you know?" Ovechkin cracked, alluding to those who claim he's only catching up to Wayne Gretzky's record thanks to easy empty-net goals. "Strome and Protas find

Ovechkin has three goals in his last two games, none of them of the empty-net variety and all of them coming at 5-on-5. One came on a vintage "Ovi" shot from the slot, and the others were off great feeds in front courtesy of linemate Aliaksei Protas. It's a step up from his first two goals of the season: one ENG and an errant puck that went in off his body.

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When it comes to what's really been working for Ovechkin, it's easy to see; the captain has a jump in his step. He is moving his feet and getting to the open areas, and most importantly, he appears healthy and in great shape.

Ovechkin is also making smart plays with the puck and knows when to pass and when to shoot, and he's also found great chemistry with linemates Protas and Dylan Strome. He doesn't need a wide-open net or a man advantage to score, and it's paying off.

Most importantly, though, it's Ovechkin's contagious personality as he continues to love the game. He's having a blast with the surging Capitals, whose 7-2 start as a top team in the Metropolitan Division is putting the league on alert, and he's also benefitting from the overall improved offense.

"Right now, we feel fun," Ovechkin said. "We support each other, when you win the games, the kind of atmosphere always like that from the coaches from the players. I hope it's going to continue like that."

Ovechkin is currently on pace for 46 goals, which would have him passing Gretzky for the all-time goals record at the end of this season.

"It's just a matter of time, he starts finding the back of the net. It's pretty special that way when he gets looks, they go in and keep going in," Tom Wilson said. "Some good plays from his linemates, and he's finding the back of the net.

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"Ovi's playing unbelievable right now," Connor McMichael added. "Every time he has the puck on his stick, it has a great chance of going in the net."

Looking ahead, though, Ovechkin is still taking things game by game — as he so often says. After all, it's an 82-game grind, and it's not going to be a straightforward path to history. That said, it's important to keep things positive.

"It doesn't matter what's going to happen because it's a long season," Ovechkin added. "It's going to be ups and downs obviously, so we have to stick together no matter what."

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Right now, though, for the Capitals, it's been a joy to watch Ovechkin, who is now 37 goals shy of passing Gretzky, and his unwavering enthusiasm that's making its way through the locker room.

"It's been awesome," Protas said of playing with Ovechkin. "The way he celebrates, it's like it's his first NHL goal. He's chasing something unreal, an unreal record. You see him get on the ice and he's just still happy to be there you know? Scoring goals, celebrating like a kid, it's something special."