Alex Ovechkin put back a rebound and skated into the spotlight as the latest member of the NHL香蕉视频直播檚 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
香蕉视频直播� Washington Capitals (@Capitals)
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Ovechkin香蕉视频直播檚 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 香蕉视频直播淥vi! Ovi!香蕉视频直播� 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香蕉视频直播檚 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.
香蕉视频直播淗e probably is the best goal scorer of our generation,香蕉视频直播� said Tom Wilson, who had the primary assist on Ovechkin香蕉视频直播檚 600th. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 pretty fun when every time you get him the puck there香蕉视频直播檚 a good chance he香蕉视频直播檚 going to put it in the back of the net.香蕉视频直播�
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香蕉视频直播檛 score No. 600 against Winnipeg, Laine can香蕉视频直播檛 help but appreciate the scoring pace.
香蕉视频直播淭hat香蕉视频直播檚 pretty amazing to reach that,香蕉视频直播� Laine said Monday morning. 香蕉视频直播淪ix-hundred goals in under 1,000 games, it香蕉视频直播檚 pretty unreal.香蕉视频直播�
Two former Capitals teammates, Matt Hendricks and Mathieu Perreault, were watching from the Jets香蕉视频直播� side when Ovechkin reached his latest round number in a career full of accomplishments.
香蕉视频直播淲hen I played here, it香蕉视频直播檚 funny, you always want to get the puck on his stick,香蕉视频直播� said Hendricks, who was in the penalty box for Ovechkin香蕉视频直播檚 first goal. 香蕉视频直播淗e has that ability to change games just like that. 香蕉视频直播� Ovi香蕉视频直播檚 a terrific talent.香蕉视频直播�
Perreault, who played with 684-goal scorer Teemu Selanne in Anaheim, said Ovechkin reaching 600 so quickly was indescribable.
香蕉视频直播淭he way he can shoot the puck and score goals is beyond what you can even think about,香蕉视频直播� Perreault said. 香蕉视频直播淚 can tell my grandkids, my kids, I played with Ovechkin. He香蕉视频直播檚 going to be a legend of the game.香蕉视频直播�
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香蕉视频直播檚 game isn香蕉视频直播檛 lost on players and coaches around the league who have watched his career.
香蕉视频直播淲hen he came in (he was) a hitter almost 香蕉视频直播� a shooter and a hitter,香蕉视频直播� Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice said. 香蕉视频直播淗e was a very physical player, covered an awful lot of ice during the games. And he香蕉视频直播檚 matured into kind of picking his spots, he香蕉视频直播檚 still a hard guy to play against, physically very, very strong.
香蕉视频直播淏ut he uses the people around him better, maybe. And that香蕉视频直播檚 true of all players. But his game has really changed. He香蕉视频直播檚 really grown and matured.香蕉视频直播�
Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press
