Home / News / Alex Ovechkin scored his 709th career goal after scolding his hockey stick. He now has the 7th most goals in NHL history.

Alex Ovechkin scored his 709th career goal after scolding his hockey stick. He now has the 7th most goals in NHL history.

By Ian Oland

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February 4, 2021 11:07 pm

Alex Ovechkin passed Mike Gartner for seventh place on the NHL’s goals list Thursday in a losing effort against the New York Rangers.

Ovechkin scored off a faceoff late in the third period to bring the Capitals within one of New York.

Ultimately, the Capitals lost 4-2.

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Ovechkin’s historic tally came off a set faceoff play. Nicklas Backstrom won the draw and left the puck several inches beyond his skates. Ovechkin, skating laterally, picked up the puck and fired it past Igor Shesterkin short side. “No one in the world is going to stop that,” NBC Sports Washington analyst Craig Laughlin observed.

“It’s great,” Ovechkin said after the game. “I’m not done yet, but I’m trying to enjoy my time right now and these moments.”

The goal came a shift after Ovechkin had a heart-to-heart with his twig after missing on a prior attempt.

“[Ovechkin] asked for it and [he] got it,” Laughlin joked. “The Great 8 talked to his stick before we went to break — don’t let me down.”

Not only did the goal give Ovechkin seventh place on the all-time goals list, but he also is now one road tally away (361) from tying Steve Yzerman for the second most away goals in NHL history (362).

Backstrom’s assist was also his 263rd on an Ovechkin goal. According to the Capitals PR, the Swedish center has assisted on 37 percent of Ovi’s tallies in the NHL.

Playing with only 11 forwards, Ovechkin was double-shifted throughout the evening by Peter Laviolette, finishing the evening with 27 minutes and 17 seconds of ice time. It was the tenth highest TOI he’s ever received in a game that ended in regulation.

“I feel great,” Ovechkin said of the added ice time. “I was fresh, feeling the puck.”

Laviolette explained that he wanted Ovechkin to get the extra work, not only to get the Capitals back in the game, but also to get him rolling again after spending 10 days in quarantine.

“I thought he looked strong,” Laviolette said. “He was skating well. He was physical. He was putting pucks at the net. When that happens, anything can happen with him.”

Ovechkin finished the night with a game-high seven shots.

RMNB Coverage of Caps at Rangers

Screenshot courtesy of NBC Sports Washington

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