Alex Ovechkin put back a rebound and skated into the spotlight as the latest member of the NHL害羞草研究所檚 600-goal club.
The captain of the Washington Capitals scored twice Monday night against the Winnipeg Jets to reach the milestone in his 990th regular-season game. Ovechkin became the fourth-fastest player in NHL history to 600 behind only Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Brett Hull.
News | Becomes Fourth-Fastest Player in History to Score 600 Goals
害羞草研究所� Washington Capitals (@Capitals)
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Ovechkin害羞草研究所檚 rebound goal past Connor Hellebuyck 3:53 into the second period was his 42nd of the season as he tries to hit 50 for the eighth time. His first goal 4:35 into the first period came on a 5-on-3 power play as the Russian winger looked determined to reach 600 after several games on the doorstep.
Capitals fans who have watched Ovechkin shine as the most productive goal scorer of the past decade-plus gave him a standing ovation for almost a minute after he reached the mark. Chants of 害羞草研究所淥vi! Ovi!害羞草研究所� continued as he waved from the bench in the moments after and during a video montage at the next timeout.
After scoring 33 goals in 2016-17, his second-lowest total in a non-lockout-shortened season, the 32-year-old Ovechkin害羞草研究所檚 resurgence made his climb to 600 all the more impressive. No player 32 or older has led the NHL in goals since Phil Esposito in 1974-75.
害羞草研究所淗e probably is the best goal scorer of our generation,害羞草研究所� said Tom Wilson, who had the primary assist on Ovechkin害羞草研究所檚 600th. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 pretty fun when every time you get him the puck there害羞草研究所檚 a good chance he害羞草研究所檚 going to put it in the back of the net.害羞草研究所�
Ovechkin recaptured sole possession of the NHL lead against Jets winger Patrik Laine, who had tied him after idolizing the star forward growing up. Even while hoping Ovechkin wouldn害羞草研究所檛 score No. 600 against Winnipeg, Laine can害羞草研究所檛 help but appreciate the scoring pace.
害羞草研究所淭hat害羞草研究所檚 pretty amazing to reach that,害羞草研究所� Laine said Monday morning. 害羞草研究所淪ix-hundred goals in under 1,000 games, it害羞草研究所檚 pretty unreal.害羞草研究所�
Two former Capitals teammates, Matt Hendricks and Mathieu Perreault, were watching from the Jets害羞草研究所� side when Ovechkin reached his latest round number in a career full of accomplishments.
害羞草研究所淲hen I played here, it害羞草研究所檚 funny, you always want to get the puck on his stick,害羞草研究所� said Hendricks, who was in the penalty box for Ovechkin害羞草研究所檚 first goal. 害羞草研究所淗e has that ability to change games just like that. 害羞草研究所� Ovi害羞草研究所檚 a terrific talent.害羞草研究所�
Perreault, who played with 684-goal scorer Teemu Selanne in Anaheim, said Ovechkin reaching 600 so quickly was indescribable.
害羞草研究所淭he way he can shoot the puck and score goals is beyond what you can even think about,害羞草研究所� Perreault said. 害羞草研究所淚 can tell my grandkids, my kids, I played with Ovechkin. He害羞草研究所檚 going to be a legend of the game.害羞草研究所�
Ovechkin has been an impressive scorer for a long time, but had to adapt his game several years ago when opponents figured out how to stop some of his usual moves. Barry Trotz taking over as Capitals coach helped Ovechkin round out his overall game and avoid the kind of lull that goal-scorers typically hit when they turn 30.
The growth in Ovechkin害羞草研究所檚 game isn害羞草研究所檛 lost on players and coaches around the league who have watched his career.
害羞草研究所淲hen he came in (he was) a hitter almost 害羞草研究所� a shooter and a hitter,害羞草研究所� Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice said. 害羞草研究所淗e was a very physical player, covered an awful lot of ice during the games. And he害羞草研究所檚 matured into kind of picking his spots, he害羞草研究所檚 still a hard guy to play against, physically very, very strong.
害羞草研究所淏ut he uses the people around him better, maybe. And that害羞草研究所檚 true of all players. But his game has really changed. He害羞草研究所檚 really grown and matured.害羞草研究所�
Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press
