SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Alex Ovechkin scored his 887th career goal on Saturday, bringing him within eight goals of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s storied NHL record of 894 goals. This significant milestone contributed to the Washington Capitals' decisive 5-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks.
Ovechkin, the 39-year-old Russian hockey star, demonstrated his skill by deftly deflecting a shot from teammate Martin Fehervary past Sharks' goalie Georgi Romanov with just 9:06 remaining in the third period. Notably, Romanov becomes the 182nd goalie on whom Ovechkin has scored throughout his illustrious career.
With this latest goal, Ovechkin has now netted 34 goals this season and remains on track to surpass Gretzky’s record by the end of the current season. Alongside his goal, Ovechkin also provided an assist on Dylan Strome's game-opening goal, which was scored just 7:33 minutes after the puck dropped.
The win marks the Capitals' sixth victory in their last seven games, showcasing their resilience as they bounced back from a disappointing 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings earlier this week. The Capitals now hold an impressive record of 18-4-1 following losses this season.
Beyond Ovechkin's performance, the Capital's offensive efforts were bolstered by contributions from Aliaksei Protas, Taylor Raddysh, and Trevor van Riemsdyk. Van Riemsdyk’s goal, which came just 40 seconds after the Sharks managed to score and cut the lead to 3-1, was particularly noteworthy as it ended his long 145-game goal drought.
The Capitals' victory was underscored by their dominance, especially during the first period where they outshot the Sharks 17-3, demonstrating their offensive prowess. Logan Thompson, the Capitals' goaltender, effectively managed the Sharks' attempts, making 19 saves throughout the game.
For the Sharks, Macklin Celebrini managed to score their only goal, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the overwhelming performance of the Capitals. This loss contrasted sharply with their recent success against the Chicago Blackhawks, highlighting the challenges they face as they continue their season.
Looking to the future, the Capitals are set to host the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night, March 18, as they look to capitalize on their current momentum. Conversely, the Sharks will face off against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night, March 20, as they seek to regroup from this setback.
Ovechkin’s pursuit of Gretzky’s record adds excitement and significance to each game, as he rapidly approaches making hockey history. With Saturday's goal, he not only made headlines but also edged closer to becoming one of the league's all-time legends.
Fans and analysts alike are left wondering: can Ovechkin break the record within the current season? Only time will tell, but the anticipation surrounding his performance remains palpable as he continues to chase the goal-scoring crown with fervor.