The Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin is now level with Gordie Howe’s record for most NHL goals scored for a single team. The 37-year-old player scored in the second period of the Capitals’ 3-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Thursday night.
Now, Ovechkin has 786 goals for Washington; a figure that he fittingly reached in the same city where Howe, also known as Mr. Hockey, rose to fame. In fact, Ovechkin’s goal was scored on the same end of the rink where Howe’s retired number nine jersey now hangs.
In addition to tieing with Howe’s record, Ovechkin is also en route to exceeding Howe’s all-time goal tally of 801 goals. Mr. Hockey played for the Red Wings from 1946 to 1971; a career that saw him become a Hall of Famer.
While Ovechkin admitted that he had achieved a great accomplishment, the Capitals were disappointed that they couldn’t get the win on the night, with coach Peter Laviolette admitting, “I wish it could’ve been in a winning effort.”
The Capitals will be looking to return to winning ways when they return home to face the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday.
