Alex Ovechkin just scored the most on-brand goal of his career.
After a great set-up feed by Aliaksei Protas, Ovechkin beat Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Samuel Ersson at the far post, scoring career goal number 888.
Ovechkin is now seven goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goals record of 894. He’s on pace to tie the NHL goals record on April 10 vs Carolina and break it on April 12 in Columbus.
Protas and Trevor van Riemsdyk got the assists on the play. The goal was scored with 5:35 remaining in the first period to give the Capitals a 1-0 lead.
Ovi’s tally marked Ovechkin’s third on Samuel Ersson in his career, the 173rd different goaltender he’s lit the lamp against.
The goal elicited a huge roar from the Capital One Arena crowd when Slapshot updated the team’s goal counter to 888.
Ovechkin now has 35 goals this season, tied for fourth-most in the NHL. He sits in the top 5 despite missing 16 games earlier this season with a broken leg.
