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Capitals: Alex Ovechkin’s road to 700 goals

By Michael Marzzacco

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 16: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals prepares to throw a puck to a fan after the Capitals defeated the New Jersey Devils 5-2 at Capital One Arena on January 16, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 16: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals prepares to throw a puck to a fan after the Capitals defeated the New Jersey Devils 5-2 at Capital One Arena on January 16, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 1: (L-R) Dick Patrick, team president, Ted Leonsis, team owner, Alexander Ovechkin, and George McPhee vice president and general manager of Washington Capitals introduce first round draft pick Ovechkin at a press conference conference September 1, 2005 at the MCI Center in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

We’ve reached the point in the season where the possible has become the inevitable, it’s not if Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals will hit 700 goals but when.

Alex Ovechkin will continue his quest on Wednesday night when the Washington Capitals host the Nashville Predators. In the meantime let’s look at his quest to get to the point he is at today.

Ovechkin was drafted first overall by the Capitals in 2004 and made his debut on Oct. 5, 2005 when the team hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Ovechkin scored twice in a 3-2 win and it was just the beginning of the greatness this city would witness.

WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 13: Alexander Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals spins away from defenseman Brent Sopel #3 of the New York Islanders at the MCI Center on October 13, 2005 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 13: Alexander Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals spins away from defenseman Brent Sopel #3 of the New York Islanders at the MCI Center on October 13, 2005 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /

When the Caps were in Anaheim against the Ducks, Ovechkin had his first hat trick on Jan 13. While that was impressive, nothing compared to what he did three days later in what everyone in Washington calls, “The Goal”.

Ovechkin finished his rookie season with 52 goals which led all NHL rookies. He brought home the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year.

Sep 14, 2006; Washington, DC, USA; Portraits ALEXANDER OVECHKIN of the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center. (Photo by Albert Dickson/Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images)
Sep 14, 2006; Washington, DC, USA; Portraits ALEXANDER OVECHKIN of the Washington Capitals at the Verizon Center. (Photo by Albert Dickson/Sporting News via Getty Images via Getty Images) /

Ovechkin finished his second season with 46 goals. He scored his100th career goal the next year in Washington’s fourth game which was a loss to the Rangers in New York. That 2007-08 season wound up being Ovechkin’s best season leading the league with an astonishing 65 goals.

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