Capitals: Alex Ovechkin’s road to 700 goals

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 10: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring his 500th career NHL goal in the second period during an NHL game against the Ottawa Senators at Verizon Center on January 10, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)

Ovechkin became the sixth fastest player to reach 400 goals but he wasn’t slowing down anytime soon. Despite not making the playoffs that season, Ovechkin once again took home a Rocket Richard finishing with 51 goals.

Ovechkin rebounded with a 53 goal season and a return to the playoffs in 2014-15, the first year under then new head coach Barry Trotz. The Capitals got past a gritty New York Islanders team in seven games before falling to the Rangers in a heartbreaking seven game series.

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 10: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates with his teammate Braden Holtby #70 after the Capitals defeated the Ottawa Senators 7-1 during an NHL game at Verizon Center on January 10, 2016 in Washington, DC. Ovechkin scored his 500th career NHL goal in the second period of the game. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Capitals added to their roster in the offseason and that strong roster saw them capture back to back Presidents Trophies with the league’s best record. Ovechkin scored 50 goals in the 2015-16 season and his 500th came in front of a sold out crowd at then-called Verizon Center. On Jan. 10, 2016 the team hosted the Ottawa Senators and the goal came from none other than the office at the left face-off circle.

Ovechkin became the 43rd player to reach 500 goals and the fifth fastest player to reach the mark as well as the first Russian.

WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 11: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring a goal for his 1000th career point against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first period during an NHL game at Verizon Center on January 11, 2017 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)

Ovechkin’s next season was a bit of a down year where he scored 33 goals. Despite this, he reached the milestone of 1,000 career points on Jan. 11 against the Pittsburgh Penguins becoming the 37th player in the history of the NHL to reach 1,000 with one team.