Although the Washington Capitals lost in overtime on home ice, Alex Ovechkin continued his chase towards Wayne Gretzky
The Washington Capitals fell in overtime to the Winnipeg Jets 5-4 albeit there wouldn't have been an overtime if it wasn't for Alex Ovechkin. It was a hard fought game between two talented teams but in the end some mental mistakes cost the Caps.
Matt Roy started the play as Tom Wilson quickly fed Ovi for a one timer from downtown for his 24th goal of the season. He is now 17 away from tying and 18 away from passing Wayne Gretzky for the most NHL goals of all time. He is currently second in the NHL in goals per games played at 0.67 and is on pace to end the year with 44 goals. Ovi and Gretzky are even steven at a goals per game rate of 0.60.
After the game, Ovechkin was quick to point out the slow start in the beginning of the game which allowed the Jets to put the Caps on their heels in the third period. Ovechkin said via Tarik El-Bashir on X:
"First period was kinda like a little bit afraid to do something out there. But second period you could see we kinda relaxed, controlling the puck more. It was kinda playoff style game. Lots of battles. Lots of hits. Not too many penalties.""Alex Ovechkin
The projection now is that Ovi can pass Gretzky on Saturday April 12 when the Caps are at the Columbus Blue Jackets. His career goal average of 0.60 rate could be broken in the final game of the regular season at the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 17.
Per NHL Edge, Ovechkin's 877th goal came at a shot speed of 88.79 miles per hour and marked Ovechkin's 56th goal against the Jets/Thrashers (next closest is the Carolina Hurricanes with 51) and the most by any player against the Winnipeg/Atlanta franchise.
Win, lose, or draw, Alex Ovechkin continues to be must watch TV night after night. It doesn't matter where you are or what you're doing. There's nothing like an Ovechkin goal. His reaction and the crowd's reaction right afterwards. The goal horn sounding at home. The mixed reactions on the road as Caps fans around the world know they are witnessing history firsthand.
Nobody know which day he will actually surpass Gretzky but once he does the entire hockey world (or at least most of it) will smile.
