The Washington Capitals blew a 2-0 lead but at least we got to see Alex Ovechkin make history last night against the Arizona Coyotes. No it wasn’t as sick as “The Goal” itself but we at least got to see a classic Ovechkin shot from the office.
Now if you want to relive that painful game we got the video highlights below. But read on to find out about the awesomeness and historical significance of that Ovechkin goal.
After Matias Maccelli got called for hooking Marcus Johansson in the second period, it put the Caps on the power play and at 8:55 it was Ovechkin from the office for his seventh goal of the season and 787th of his career.
The goal was assisted by Trevor van Riemsdyk and Anthony Mantha.
The 787th goal of Ovechkin’s career moved him past Gordie Howe for the most goals scored by a player with a single franchise. Howe had 786 goals with the Detroit Red Wings before he finished his career with the Hartford Whalers after a stop in the WHA.
Ovechkin is now 14 goals shy of tying Howe and 15 goals away from passing him for second place on the NHL’s all time goals list. Howe finished his storied NHL career with 801 goals.
It was also Ovechkin’s first goal against Karel Vejmelka, the 162nd goalie Ovechkin has scored on in his career. Only Jaromir Jagr (178), Patrick Marleau (177), and Mark Messier (164) have scored on more goaltenders.
Ovechkin also passed Adam Oates (1,420) for the 19th most points in NHL history. The goal was the first of the game and Ovechkin has scored the games first goal 132 times which is the second most game opening goals in NHL history behind Jaromir Jagr with 135.
Ovechkin though doesn’t care about individual stats. He’s all about the team and in the end the Capitals coughed up a two goal lead in the third period. He spoke after the game and said while he was proud of the accomplishment he was disappointed the Caps came away with a loss.
“Obviously it’s a huge moment,” said Ovechkin. “Last couple games there was some big milestones but unfortunately we didn’t get the win. Special moment and it’s nice to have both my kids and my wife there with the fans. My parents watched (in Russia) so yeah it was a special moment.”
Now that he passed Gordie Howe in one category his sights are set on passing Howe again in a different category. He can certainly do that this year and if he keeps up the pace he’s at, he could slide into second place in goals all time by the middle of the season.