Alex Ovechkin becomes 3rd player in NHL history to score 800 goals
Alexander Ovechkin became the third player in NHL history with 800 career goals, joining Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe on that elusive list.
Ovechkin had a hat trick in a 7-3 win against the Chicago Blackhawks.
He is now one goal behind Howe for second all time, 801, and 94 behind Gretzky for the most goals in NHL history.
Ovechkin entered the game with 797 career goals and scored 24 seconds into the game against the Blackhawks. He then added a second goal 8:14 of the first period and completed the hat trick 6:34 into the third period.
Ovechkin joined ESPN after the game and said he was relieved to finally hit 800, and now he could just, “focus on the next one.”
The next one will tie Howe, so that's still a big one.
On that broadcast P.K. Subban, the former Norris-Trophy winning defenseman turned ESPN broadcaster, said he felt that Ovechkin could score 1,000 goals in his NHL career if he kept at it.
On his chase for Gretzky, which will likely happen in next two seasons, the Capitals are expecting Ovechkin's quest to be followed closely by No. 99. Capitals owner Ted Leonsis said this week that Gretzky has essentially already committed to, “moving in” with the Capitals when it becomes close to Ovechkin potentially breaking that record so that he can be there and honor it.
