Alex Ovechkin reaches 1,500 career points

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin had a slow start to the season but thanks to his assists which have outnumbered goals ironically this season brought his point total to 1,500 in his career. I say it’s ironic because when you look at career numbers he has way more goals than assists.

The point came on a secondary assist on Dylan Strome’s second goal of the game in a game that resulted in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Dallas Stars. Despite the defeat it was still a historical night for both the player and the organization.

“I think he’ll get the (game) puck,” Strome told the media as the one who helped Ovechkin get that 1,500th point. For Strome it was also his 100th career goal.

Ovechkin is now the 16th player in NHL history to recorded 1,500 career points. They are the eighth most points by a player with one franchise in NHL history. One team for 19 seasons is impressive especially when it began with all the big expectations and curiosity that comes with being a number one draft pick.

Ovechkin needs just one goal for 900 career goals in the regular season and playoffs combined. He’s the fifth player in NHL history to record 1,500 points among those who have played for only one franchise in their career.

Those players are elite company. Steve Yzerman, Mario Lemieux, Joe Sakic, and Sidney Crosby.

Strome added:

“He’s a living legend. It’s an honor to play with him. Hopefully I start feeding him so he gets more goals.”

“Yeah, it’s a pretty cool number,” said Ovechkin. “I always say without my teammates I would never reach it. It’s pretty cool.”

With five goals to go along with his 10 assists, Ovechkin looks to get into a hot scoring streak soon as he continues his chase toward Wayne Gretzky.