Ovechkin scores 820 career goals in the NHL, close to Gretzky’s record

A large-scale ceremony honoring Alexander Ovechkin was held in Washington. The Russian hockey player, the second best sniper in the history of the National Hockey League, has moved up to the rankings of the greatest.

On December 24, 2022, Alexander Ovechkin scored a landmark double goal in a match with the Winnipeg Jets (4: 1). Thanks to the first goal, the Russian captain of the “Washington Capitals” caught Gordie Howe and with the second puck he was ahead of the legendary Canadian and took a clear second place in the list of the best snipers in history. NHL championship. 802 goals in the NHL … Before Ovechkin, this crazy note was awarded to only one person whose name is associated with dozens of league records. For one of the main Ovi and leading the big chase. It’s also “The Gr8 Chase” as they call it in America.

A truly grand event could not do without proper festivities. “Washington” and the NHL were prepared for several months. Why so long? The scale of the event requires responsible and hard work. We should also not forget that the NHL is a business where people think with particular enthusiasm about ways to make money.

The ceremony honoring Ovechkin took place on the night of March 22, Moscow time – before the match against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Alexander made his NHL debut in October 2005 in a match against the Blue Jackets. The event was really loud. Even hours before the game kicked off, all North American hockey media adhered to the same agenda, and the “Washington” media service relentlessly released tons of great content from all guns. For example, funny interviews of Ovechkin’s main teammates.

Or a congratulatory video for other NHL clubs and stars. Absolutely the whole league was immersed in the history of the name Ovechkin.

Arriving at the Capital One Arena, Ovechkin walked through a corridor filled with 200 fans holding season tickets for the club’s home games. They were all wearing themed paraphernalia. Fans in the arena were also given doodles in the form of Ovechkin with a goal counter.

All other fans also had the opportunity to touch history literally: in the arena Capitals placed a real Ovechkin throne made of more than 802 discs. Anyone else have any questions about who is the king in the US capital?

The rest of the Washington players, wearing special T-shirts with the picture of their captain, walked down the same aisle. They also tried Ovi’s “eight” jerseys for the pre-match presentation.

Just before the start of the game, the Russian striker was congratulated by Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, NHL assistant commissioner Bill Daly and Mark Howe, son of Canadian legendary forward Gordie Howe, with Ovechkin leading the list. The best snipers in NHL championship history. He received memorable gifts from the Russian, Washington, NHL and League Players Association. Among them is a bat of the USSR national team signed from the 1974 Super Series between Canada and the Soviet team, and a puck that Gordie Howe threw in this series. During the ceremony, of course, Ovechkin was accompanied by his wife Anastasia, mother Tatyana, sons Ilya and Sergey, and brother Mikhail.

And the NHL awarded Ovechkin the 820th goal in his overseas career. Already at the 6th minute of the meeting, when the team of Peter Laviolette regularly missed the first in the early exit, Capitals opened the score and broke a losing streak. Ovechkin made a cross on the far post from the right, and Dylan Strome closed the pass in a fight against Blue Jackets defender Nick Blankenburg. Initially, the author of the goal was Strome, but later the disc was rewritten to Ovechkin. NHL representatives thought the puck had bounced off the bat from Blankenburg, not Strome. Since there was no concept of an own goal in hockey, the shooter was considered the author of the goal. This is Ovi.

For Alexander, this goal was his 40th of the season. The “Washington” captain is the first Russian hockey player to reach this mark in the current draw, and also the first to reach this peak for the 13th time in NHL history. In terms of seasons scoring 40 or more goals, Ovi has surpassed former record holder Wayne Gretzky.

Following the success, Caps scored two more goals until the middle of the first period. 3-0 in the opening – you can’t think of a better start. But “Washington” wouldn’t be “Washington” if it didn’t cause trouble for itself even in a relaxed state. Even when facing the worst club in the championship. “Capital” missed twice in a row and then let their own nets and a third puck, losing their old advantage in the long run. Sonny Milano and Nick Jensen alternately tried to save the hosts from hassle, but in vain. In the first half of the third period, “Columbus” scored twice more and still equalized – 5:5. And Jensen, who doubled 4.5 minutes before the end of regular time, looked like it would still bring Washington a victory over an outsider, but no.

In the final minute of the third quarter, Boon Jenner sent the sixth puck into Charlie Lindgren’s goal and the teams went into overtime. As expected from such a scenario of the match, the guests from Ohio, who made a comeback and overshadowed the holiday of the entire US capital, turned out to be stronger. Jack Roslovich ignored all the celebrations in honor of Alexander Ovechkin and finished the match with a 7:6 (OT) goal. This defeat for “Washington” was the third in a row. Thoughts on the playoffs in the “Capital” are dwindling.