Alex Ovechkin passes Gordie Howe with 802nd goal, moves to No. 2 all-time

“It’s very moving,” Ovechkin said. “My parents watched it from home. I have a wife, I have kids, I have friends. It’s special to do it with a home crowd. They support me all the way.” It’s pretty big. It’s a historic moment. It’s great to be a player in this category. It’s so cool.”

Currently, the only name surpassing Ovechkin’s name is “The Great One.” Wayne Gretzky’s 894 goal, once believed to be unapproachable, is on top of the mountain. And given that the 37-year-old Ovechkin’s scoring pace has barely slowed with age, it’s probably not a question of when the No. 8 will overtake his legendary No. 99. will be

“It’s just crazy to watch. It’s a huge number and a great achievement for his game, his person and his family,” said longtime Capitals teammate Dmitry Orlov. . “It’s certainly great how he’s doing now and I hope he stays healthy. And another day, another milestone.”

Ovechkin’s no-look, empty goal was done in a slightly comedic fashion. The home crowd chanted Ovechkin’s name after the Jets pulled out goaltender David Ricci with just under three minutes left in regulation. The crowd wanted Capitals coach Peter Laviolette to put Ovechkin on the ice and attempt an empty netter.

Ovechkin was on the ice with 1:42 remaining and fired a long shot into an empty net that clattered to the post. After some time, with the capital in the attack zone and an open net in front of him, Ovechkin passed it to Evgeny Kuznetsov.

LaViolet later said he and Ovechkin had a conversation before the game and decided to give Ovechkin a normal time if he had an opportunity for Emptinet.

“It’s a situation where if you get a chance, you take it,” Ovechkin said. “I gave it to Kuzy and he said, ‘I don’t want to take it.’ But after that, it’s special.”

Kuznetsov said: You know, I have a lot of people who don’t like me… I don’t care about reputation.

Howe died in 2016 at the age of 88. Ovechkin met him at his 2009 All-Star game in Montreal. A signed photo of Ovechkin and Howe together in the dressing room remains “the best” in Ovechkin’s collection, he said.

“Obviously Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky’s stick, Mario Lemieux’s stick — [the photo is] Probably the best,” he said.

Numbers 801 and 802 were Ovechkin’s wife, Nastya, and their two sons, four-year-old Sergey and two-year-old Ilya. All were present at his last three home games in Washington. Light the lamp.

On Friday, Ovechkin took notice of him and gave him a show. Sergey and Ilya went to the Capitals’ locker room after the game to pose for pictures holding up their father’s historic 801 and 802 pucks.

“When I got into the league, I never thought this would happen. I’m going to break Gordy Howe’s record, Wayne Gretzky’s record and others,” Ovechkin said. “Okay, I was feeling like maybe I’ll play in the NHL, I’m going to get better, I’m going to try to do my best, but the whole situation that’s going on now is a miracle. You know, it’s pretty special.”

Ovechkin’s first goal on Friday tied Howe’s record at 18:22 and gave Washington a 1–0 lead. His list from the circle his shot passed his Rittich.

The chase then continued for a split second.

“Looking at what Alex does on a daily basis, I think anything is possible,” LaViolette said. “The way he plays. The way he scores. The way he shoots the puck. His love of the game. His passion and purpose for the game. Anything is possible.”

Ovechkin has scored nine goals in his last nine games. During the season, he has scored his 22 goals in his 36 appearances, which is his pace of 50 goals. The Capitals had a difficult start to the year, but the captain helped the injury-ravaged team survive.

“He’s going to have another great year,” LaViolette said. “He’s in great shape. He’s clearly got tremendous ability and talent when it comes to what he’s doing. He loves the game. When he’s on the ice, he has passion and purpose.” I think all of that combined and the fact that he’s been able to play a lot of games has led to his ability to play consistently.”

Teammates have long admired Ovechkin’s ability, but that recognition has reached new levels as he continues to score legend after legend on his way up the goals list.

“Seven or eight years ago, he was clearly on the same trajectory as he is now, and nobody talked about it,” defenseman John Carlson said this month. It went from ‘maybe hey’ to ‘oh my god, this is coming up soon’. …for 13 years, you get to play with the players who beat these players in the history books. That’s pretty cool. ”

With No. 802 behind him, Ovechkin takes a moment to catch his breath. But his hopes don’t stop at his second place.

“Everyone is waiting for Gretzky’s record, but it won’t be easy,” Orlov said. “Everybody knows, he knows. It’s a lot of work and sometimes luck. It’s a long way to go.”

Forward Anthony Mansa added: Until then, he keeps hunting — that’s what we love about him. ”