Washington CapitalsStar Alex OvechkinHockey legend passed Jaromir JagrThird all-time NHL goal-scoring leader, with career goal No. 767 at-home against the New York IslandersTuesday night
Capitals are center with 4:58 remaining in the third period Evgeny KuznetsovHe won a faceoff in Ovechkin’s zone at the top right of the Islanders’ circle. He snapped the puck above the glove of the Islanders goalie Semyon VarlamovFor his 37th goal of this season, he was a Washington teammate.
He raised his stick, and he twirled back to the neutral zone. Ovechkin was surrounded by his teammates, who huddled around him and celebrated the feat with jumping up to their delight. Ovechkin touched his heart and thanked all those who had stood to support him.
This was Ovechkin’s 1,256th career match.
Ovechkin (36), now trails Wayne Gretzky by 127 goals in Wayne Gretzky’s NHL all-time goals record (894 games). Next up for Ovechkin is Gordie Howe’s 801 career career goals. He amassed them in 1,767 career matches.
Jagr scored 766 goals over 1,733 NHL games between 1990 and 2018. Three seasons were missed by Jagr while playing in Kontinental Hockey League (2008-09 to 2010-11). He played his last game in the NHL with the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2017-18 seasons. Calgary Flames.
Jagr, 50 years old, continues his hockey career with Kladno in the Czech Extraliga. This team he also owns.
Ovechkin tied Jagr with two goals against Flames on March 8th. Barry Trotz, Ovechkin’s coach, led the Capitals to the 2018 Stanley Cup championship.
Ovi’s up to another milestone each time we play the Caps. “And I wish him all the very best, but not tonight,” Trotz said, before Tuesday’s game. Trotz believes Ovechkin will break Gretzky’s record.
Trotz stated, “When you doubt Ovi he digs in.” He’s 36 years old, which is what we call getting older. It would be easy to believe that he will break somewhere along the way. As he would put it, the Russian Machine’ never fails.