Alex Ovechkin’s 36th goal of the 2024-25 season was one of his most clutch this year.
Down 2-1 to the Winnipeg Jets late in the third period, Ovechkin released a huge snap shot from the left circle that beat Connor Hellebuyck, the league’s best goaltender.
The tally was Ovechkin’s 889th of his career, bringing him to within 6 of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s goals record.
“It’s a fun time obviously,” Ovechkin said postgame of reaching no. 889. “You just have to enjoy it. It’s a special moment obviously. Everybody watching. Everybody paying attention to it.”
The rocket of a shot beat Hellebuyck short side due to Ovechkin’s lightning release. Aliaksei Protas and Trevor van Riemsdyk were each credited with an assist.
Head coach Spencer Carbery was confident his team would launch an offensive effort in the third period, though he didn’t know it would be Ovechkin to tie the game.
“I knew we were going to push,” he said postgame. “Around the eight minute mark, you start to see us get around [the offensive zone] a little bit more. And then out of that TV timeout, went with [Dubois’] line. And then Stromer came right back with them. Yeah, it’s a big play and a big moment to get that game tied.”
Ovechkin is now on pace to tie the record on April 10 vs Carolina and pass Gretzky on April 13 versus Columbus.
Per NHL PR, the goal gave Ovechkin tallies in three consecutive games against the Jets. He has 57 career goals against the Jets/Thrashers franchise — the most by an active player against one club. He passed longtime rival Sidney Crosby, who has 56 goals against the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Capitals would go on to lose 3-2 after Nikolaj Ehlers scored 1:28 into overtime.
