Alex Ovechkin became the all-time National Hockey League (NHL) scorer with the same team on Saturday, and the Russian has no plans to stop there.
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“Ovi” scored his 787th career goal in the Capitals’ 3-2 loss to the Arizona Coyotes in Washington.
He overtook Gordie Howe, who scored a total of 786 goals in the jersey of the Detroit Red Wings. The latter had needed 400 more games for this.
“I’ve played my entire career here in Washington. I’m linked to a legend, that’s a pretty big number, and that’s a pretty cool achievement,” Overchkin said after the game, according to the NHL’s official website.
“These last games there were important signs and unfortunately we didn’t get the win. But it’s a special time and it’s nice to have my two kids, my wife and all the fans [ici]. My parents watched from Moscow. So it’s a special moment.”
Ovechkin will now try to overtake Howe again, this time on all teams’ career scorers’ charts. Howe has 801, second in history to Wayne Gretzky with 894.
If it were up to him, Ovechkin would continue his progression by staying with the Capitals until the end of his career.
“I always say my goal is to stay with one team my entire career. Of course I’m lucky enough to be able to do that [marquer des buts]. So that’s pretty cool.”
Ovechkin, 37, can rest easy as he has three seasons left on his five-year, $9.5 million contract with the American capital club after this season. After scoring seven goals in 13 games this season, he will look to add to his tally on Monday night when the Capitals host the Edmonton Oilers at Capital One Arena.