Alex Ovechkin put back a rebound and skated into the spotlight as the latest member of the NHL91裸聊视频檚 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
91裸聊视频� Washington Capitals (@Capitals)
Read More:
Ovechkin91裸聊视频檚 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 91裸聊视频淥vi! Ovi!91裸聊视频� 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 Ovechkin91裸聊视频檚 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.
91裸聊视频淗e probably is the best goal scorer of our generation,91裸聊视频� said Tom Wilson, who had the primary assist on Ovechkin91裸聊视频檚 600th. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 pretty fun when every time you get him the puck there91裸聊视频檚 a good chance he91裸聊视频檚 going to put it in the back of the net.91裸聊视频�
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 wouldn91裸聊视频檛 score No. 600 against Winnipeg, Laine can91裸聊视频檛 help but appreciate the scoring pace.
91裸聊视频淭hat91裸聊视频檚 pretty amazing to reach that,91裸聊视频� Laine said Monday morning. 91裸聊视频淪ix-hundred goals in under 1,000 games, it91裸聊视频檚 pretty unreal.91裸聊视频�
Two former Capitals teammates, Matt Hendricks and Mathieu Perreault, were watching from the Jets91裸聊视频� side when Ovechkin reached his latest round number in a career full of accomplishments.
91裸聊视频淲hen I played here, it91裸聊视频檚 funny, you always want to get the puck on his stick,91裸聊视频� said Hendricks, who was in the penalty box for Ovechkin91裸聊视频檚 first goal. 91裸聊视频淗e has that ability to change games just like that. 91裸聊视频� Ovi91裸聊视频檚 a terrific talent.91裸聊视频�
Perreault, who played with 684-goal scorer Teemu Selanne in Anaheim, said Ovechkin reaching 600 so quickly was indescribable.
91裸聊视频淭he way he can shoot the puck and score goals is beyond what you can even think about,91裸聊视频� Perreault said. 91裸聊视频淚 can tell my grandkids, my kids, I played with Ovechkin. He91裸聊视频檚 going to be a legend of the game.91裸聊视频�
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 Ovechkin91裸聊视频檚 game isn91裸聊视频檛 lost on players and coaches around the league who have watched his career.
91裸聊视频淲hen he came in (he was) a hitter almost 91裸聊视频� a shooter and a hitter,91裸聊视频� Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice said. 91裸聊视频淗e was a very physical player, covered an awful lot of ice during the games. And he91裸聊视频檚 matured into kind of picking his spots, he91裸聊视频檚 still a hard guy to play against, physically very, very strong.
91裸聊视频淏ut he uses the people around him better, maybe. And that91裸聊视频檚 true of all players. But his game has really changed. He91裸聊视频檚 really grown and matured.91裸聊视频�
Stephen Whyno, The Associated Press
