Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin scored his 887th career goal, moving within eight of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record. The goal came with 9:06 remaining in the third period against the San Jose Sharks, breaking a slump that had seen him go without a score for two games.
Ovechkin, who now has 18 tallies this season in the third period, was able to snap out of his funk after Georgi Romanov made an error on a deflected shot. The goal gave Ovechkin his 34th tally of the season and also earned him his 182nd career assist on a shot.
Coach Spencer Carbery believes that the goal will help boost Ovechkin’s confidence heading into Washington’s home games this week. “For him to get that goal, hopefully that’s a good boost for him and grabs him some momentum,” Carbery said.
The crowd of over 17,000 fans erupted in cheers as Ovechkin celebrated his milestone achievement. The win was Washington’s sixth in seven games, with Ovechkin also notching an assist on Dylan Strome’s game-opening goal.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/44268784/alex-ovechkin-scores-goal-moves-8-breaking-record