Alex Ovechkin is now second on the NHL’s all-time goal list, surpassing Gordie Howe. Ovechkin scored two goals in the Washington Capitals’ 4-1 win over the Winning Jets on Friday night, giving him 802 career goals.
Ovechkin netted No. 801 with 1:38 remaining in the first period, sniping a shot from the circle past Jets goaltender David Rittich. The home crowd at Washington’s Capital One Arena erupted with joy, including Ovechkin’s wife and two sons.
With the Capitals on cruise control in the third period, Ovechkin surpassed Howe with the second goal of the night and No. 802 of his career at the 19:00 mark of the third period with an empty-netter.
Ovechkin went scoreless over a four-game stretch after he reached 800 goals with an emphatic hat trick against the Chicago Blackhawks on Dec. 13.
Just as that Tuesday night in Chicago, Ovechkin felt determined to reach his next milestone in one night. Two goals got him over the hump and past Howe.
Now only one, the Great One, stands in Ovechkin’s way. Ovechkin is 93 goals away from passing Wayne Gretzky for the most goals all-time in NHL history.
The 37-year-old Ovechkin has 22 goals on the season through 36 games. A nine-time Maurice Rocket Trophy winner, Ovechkin is arguably the greatest goal scorer in many minds. That title will be recognizable universally if he passes Gretzky.
At this stage in his career, Alex Ovechkin reaches a different milestone each game. With a Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe in tow, while being a three-time Hart Trophy winner, Ovechkin will put an exclamation point on his Hall of Fame career by becoming the NHL’s top goal scorer of all time.
