Washington Capitals: Top 10 most iconic moments in team history

3 of 10

Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

#8 Alex Ovechkin’s NHL debut

In 2004, the Washington Capitals won the NHL Draft lottery with a chance to select number one. They used that first overall pick on a once in a generation type player in Alex Ovechkin. Unfortunately with the NHL lockout that fall, we had to wait over a year to see the debut of Ovechkin but once hockey finally returned we got a front row seat to greatness before our eyes.

The date was Oct. 5, 2005 and the Capitals were hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets. All the scoring took place in the second period. After the Blue Jackets took an early 1-0 lead, it was Alex Ovechkin with a long slapshot to tie the game.

The Blue Jackets retook the lead, Ovechkin scored again, this time on the power play to tie it. The Caps would get the go ahead power play tally from Dainius Zubrus and the Caps would hang on for the 3-2 win.

Alex Ovechkin told the Associated Press at the time:

"“I feel like my dreams come true. I play in the NHL. First game, we win.”"

Ovechkin would score 52 goals that season to win the Calder Trophy for the NHL’s Rookie of the Year. The rest as they say, is history.

Home/All-Time Lists