After going goalless for his last six games, Alex Ovechkin is back on the scoresheet.
Ovechkin scored via a set play off a faceoff for his third goal of the 2023-24 season and the 825th of his illustrious career.
Ovechkin beat former teammate and fellow Russian, Semyon Varlamov, with a beautiful wrist shot to the far side of the net.
O, how you just love to see it pic.twitter.com/cVJcpA4Pgr
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 12, 2023
“Great job by Tom [on the screen],” Ovechkin said to Monumental Sports Network’s Al Koken at intermission. “Obviously I have a pretty good time to see what’s happening and I just have to put the puck in.”
The goal marked Ovechkin’s first five-on-five goal of the season — he previously scored on a power play and an empty net — and came 9:18 into the first period to give the Caps a 1-0 lead.
Yes.#EasyToCelebrate | @budlight pic.twitter.com/6nU9ci4wtH
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 12, 2023
Ovechkin now trails Wayne Gretzky by SIXTY-NINE in his bid for the NHL’s all-time goals record. This is a non-round number accomplishment that is very much worth celebrating.
The goal was Ovechkin’s 141st career game-opening goal – the most in NHL history.
Per @MonSportsNet, Alex Ovechkin has the most game-opening goals in NHL history
141, Alex Ovechkin
135, Jaromir Jagr
131, Brett Hull— Ian Oland (@ianoland) November 12, 2023
Ovechkin is now five points shy of 1,500 career points. He has 825 goals and 670 assists in 1,360 games played — good for 1,495 points.
Ovechkin’s tally marked the eighth time he’s scored on Varlamov in his career. Ovi’s first goal on Varly came on January 12, 2015.
