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Alex Ovechkin scores 731st and 732nd career goals, passes Marcel Dionne for fifth all time in goals

By Ian Oland

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October 13, 2021 10:30 pm

With Wayne Gretzky watching at TNT Studios, Alex Ovechkin scored the 731st and 732nd goals of his career during the Capitals’ season-opening game against the New York Rangers. The two tallies gave Ovechkin sole possession of fifth on the all-time goals list (732), leapfrogging him past Kings legend Marcel Dionne (731). Ovi now trails Gretzky by 162 goals.

Both of Ovechkin’s lamplighters came in the third period and on special teams. The first tally, a power-play marker, gave the Capitals a 4-0 lead. The second came shorthanded, yes shorthanded, to put the Capitals up 5-1.

Goal 1

Ovechkin’s first goal came off a very fortunate bounce. John Carlson’s point shot struck Anthony Mantha high in the chest, ricocheting towards a crashing-the-net Ovi ambling down from the left cirlce.

Ovi quickly deposited the puck short-side past Rangers goaltender Alexandar Giorgiev, sending The Great 8 into his signature celebration: bending to one knee, kissing his glove, and pointing to the heavens.

Goal 2

The second goal was Ovechkin’s first shorty since the 2008-09 season. Evgeny Kuznetsov saw Ovi streaking down the right wing, sending a pass off the end boards and right onto the captain’s tape. Ovi faked forehand before going backhand and tucking the puck into the back of the twine.

After the goal, the Capitals posted a video of Dionne congratulating Ovechkin on his accomplishment.

I want to congratulate you on something different. I knew you were going to pass me. I knew at 700. What’s important of this whole thing is respect. You have a special quality. You are a pure goal scorer. It’s incredible.

The day it happens, my name’s been everywhere. Now it’s every day. This the hat I wear every day (it’s a marcel Dionne hat). This is my hat to remind me who I am everyday. But, the day you pass me, I’ll make you a little promise. I’m going to wear your hat the whole day. All the best to you.

Ovechkin, in a game he was questionable to play in due to injury, had a hand in four of the Capitals’ five goals.

He now has 13 goals in 17 career season openers.

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