Alex Ovechkin netted his 885th career goal in the third period of the Washington Capitals’ clash against the New York Rangers on Wednesday night, bringing him just 10 goals away from surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL record.
Ovechkin capitalized on a loose puck from the left side with 9:32 remaining in regulation to tie the game 2-2. The Capitals’ captain now has 46 goals in 76 career matchups against the Rangers.
“Great job on faceoff,” Ovechkin said. “Great battle and the puck came to me.”
Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery praised Ovechkin’s ability to seize key moments.
“He has a flair for the dramatics at a key moment in the game,” Carbery said. “The puck squirts to him and he makes no mistake. That’s a huge goal for our team, huge goal on the power play. It’s not him in his office, it’s him jumping on a loose puck.”
The Capitals secured a 3-2 overtime victory thanks to Tom Wilson’s game-winner at 4:07.
Ovechkin has 32 goals in 46 games this season despite missing 16 games due to a fractured left fibula. Since returning on Dec. 28, he has registered 17 goals in 28 games. The Russian star is on track to break Gretzky’s long-standing mark of 894 goals in early April.
“What do we need, 10 more [to set the record],” Carbery said. “Ten more. We got this.”
Ovechkin extended his NHL record with his 321st career power-play goal and is now one point away from joining the elite 1,600-point club. He had multiple scoring chances throughout the game, including a near game-winner in overtime that was denied by Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin.
Source: Swifteradio.com
