Alex Ovechkin enters today’s game against the New York Islanders with a share of the NHL goals record. After scoring twice against the Chicago Blackhawks Friday to tie Wayne Gretzky at 894, Ovechkin will look to own the record outright with a goal against fellow countryman Ilya Sorokin.
Many fans in attendance will have paid near a thousand dollars or more for a ticket. The game is sold out. UBS Arena will be rocking, likely confusing Islanders players this late in the season. One reader already remarked that the venue is like a Capitals home game.
This is hockey at its best. Are you tuning in? Puck drop for Caps-Islanders is set for 12:30 pm on Monumental Sports Network and nationally on TNT. Joe B and Locker have the call.
Let’s make some history today!
Lines
Washington Capitals
Note: No Aliaksei Protas, who is out week-to-week due to a lower body injury.
New York Islanders
Tunnel shenanigans
1st Period
Puck is dropped.
Capitals fans have packed UBS Arena and are chanting for the traveling Caps.
Alex Ovechkin gets a quick deflection attempt on Ilya Sorokin that hits the Russian netminder in the crest of his jersey.
🚨 1-0 New York Islanders. NYI Goal: Bo Horvat (26). Assists: S. Holmstrom (22), A. Lee (24). Time: 07:06.
Bo Horvat spoils the good vibes by beating Charlie Lindgren with a low shot after a nice feed from Simon Holmstrom.
🚨 2-0 New York Islanders. NYI Goal: Marc Gatcomb (7). Assists: K. MacLean (6), A. Romanov (15). Time: 09:00.
A turnover leads to an odd-man rush for the Islanders, and Marc Gatcomb quickly puts the Capitals down two.
Nic Dowd takes a minor penalty for holding on Ryan Pulock.
Tom Wilson gets into a scrum with JG Pageau, roughing up Pageau by grabbing his visor.
Ryan Leonard throws a big hit on Casey Cizikas in the final seconds of the first period.
At intermission: The Capitals are down 2-0 to the Islanders after 20 minutes. Shots are 8-5 in favor of the Caps.
2nd Period
Puck is dropped.
John Carlson feeds Ovechkin down low for another deflection attempt, and Sorokin was ready again.
Pierre Engvall takes a tripping minor penalty on Rasmus Sandin.
895! HE DID IT. THE GREATEST GOAL SCORER OF ALL TIME.
🚨 2-1 New York Islanders. WSH PPG: Alex Ovechkin (42). Assists: T. Wilson (30), D. Strome (51). Time: 07:26.
Alex Ovechkin breaks Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goals record against Islanders with 895th career goal
Ovechkin snipes home the 895th goal of his legendary career, passing Wayne Gretzky for sole possession of the NHL’s all-time goals record.
The ceremony is over, and the puck is dropped again. Wow, what a day.
🚨 3-1 New York Islanders. NYI Goal: Marc Gatcomb (8). Assists: M. Martin (2), D. Strome (51). Time: 10:26.
Three minutes later, only in terms of the game clock, Gatcomb has the Islanders back up two goals. Missed coverage in front of the net leads to an easy finish.
Kyle Palmiere takes a tripping penalty on Sandin.
Pierre-Luc Dubois cuts the power play short, taking a holding penalty on Horvat.
At intermission: The Capitals are down 3-1 to the Islanders, but hardly anyone cares. Shots are 18-13 in favor of the Caps.
3rd Period
Puck is dropped.
🚨 4-1 New York Islanders. NYI Goal: Jean-Gabriel Pageau (13). Assists: M. Tsyplakov (25), A. Pelech (20). Time: 15:39.
Commotion in front of the Capitals’ net leads to the puck squeaking past Charlie Lindgren.
Capitals lose 4-1.
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