Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin joined the NHL’s 500 goal club on Sunday, becoming the first Russian-born player to reach the milestone.
‘It’s a great feeling’
Ovechkin’s 500th NHL goal came on a power play against the Ottawa Senators with 3:41 left in the second period, and he added his 501st in the third to wrap up the Capitals’ 7-1 victory.
“It’s a great feeling, obviously, to do it in front of our fans,” Ovechkin said. “Mom and dad are here. Celebrating. Everybody jumping. Yeah! It was a very special moment.”
Fifth fastest to mark
Ovechkin became the 43rd player in NHL history to score 500 goals, and the fifth-fastest to reach the milestone, doing so in his 801st game.
Ovechkin’s snapshot from the top of the left face-off circle beat Ottawa goaltender Andrew Hammond to give the Capitals a 5-1 lead.
Celebration
The 30-year-old Capitals left winger was mobbed by his teammates who came off bench while the crowd at the Verizon Center gave their hero a standing ovation.
“I was surprised,” Ovechkin said of his teammates’ instant celebration, but added teammate Jason Chimera told him they had planned it.
“I’m sure everyone is going to remember that moment,” he said. “It’s history.”
Can he catch Gretzky?
Only four other players: Wayne Gretzky in 575 games, Mario Lemieux (605), Mike Bossy (647) and Brett Hull (693), have reached 500 goals quicker.
That has caused some to wonder if Ovechkin could ever catch Gretzky as the league’s all-time goal leader with 894.
Other milestones
Ovechkin had already notched one milestone this season, when his 484th career goal on November 19 saw him surpass Sergei Fedorov for most goals by a Russian in the NHL.
Since entering the NHL in 2005/06, Ovechkin has posted 150 more goals and 50 more points than any other player.
He ranks first in the Capitals’ 42-year history in goals (501), points (934), power-play goals (185), game-winning goals (85) and overtime goals (16).
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