WASHINGTON, DC — The Calgary Flames handed the Washington Capitals their first regulation loss in a month Tuesday, but the night wasn’t a complete waste for Alex Ovechkin. Ovechkin, the Capitals’ only scorer on the night, netted goal no. 883 against Flames goaltender Dan Vladar during an unsuccessful comeback effort in the third period.
Though Vladar wasn’t thrilled Ovechkin spoiled his otherwise-spotless night, he couldn’t feel too bad about playing a role in Ovechkin’s legendary career.
“It’s going to be a story for my kids one day that a player like that scored on me, but obviously in that moment, you don’t appreciate it,” he said. “I’m happy we just play twice against them.”
When Ovechkin drew a slashing penalty on Jonathan Huberdeau 4:32 into the third, he wasted no time finishing the job. He struck just 20 seconds into the power play, firing a one-timer to catch Vladar by surprise.
“I was cheating a little bit, but there is a reason why he has so many goals like that,” Vladar said of the goal.
Vladar may have spent nearly all of his career in the Western Conference, but Tuesday wasn’t the first time he’s factored into Ovechkin’s array of milestones. Ovechkin scored his first goal on Vladar in October 2021, and later notched a two-goal game against the Flames on March 8, 2022: after scoring his first of the night against Vladar, he added an empty-net tally to tie Jaromir Jagr for third-most goals in NHL history.
Less than three years after Vladar watched Ovechkin reach Jagr, the Great Eight is now a dozen goals away from sole possession of the all-time record.
Vladar’s teammates also expressed admiration for Ovechkin’s historic chase, though they had hoped they could manage to keep him off the scoresheet for the night.
“It’s cool,” said Matt Coronato, who scored the game-winner Tuesday. “He’s obviously doing such special things. Obviously when you’re competing against him, you don’t want to see it but definitely cool to watch all season long.”
Even Rasmus Andersson, who blocked two of Ovechkin’s shots and kept multiple bags of ice on for his postgame press conference, expressed his respect for what Ovechkin has accomplished.
“He’s on a great chase, and you’ve got to eat a few,” he said. “That’s just the way the game went. Now it feels good.”
The Flames won’t have to face the Capitals again until next season, but Ovechkin will continue his pursuit of Gretzky Thursday at home against the St. Louis Blues.
