A third player has reached 800 goals in Bettman league history. After Gordie Howe and Wayne Gretzky, Alexander Ovechkin got his 800th goal on Tuesday in Chicago, as the Washington Capitals beat the Blackhawks 7-3.
The big number 8 scored his 798th, 799th and 800th career goals during a night of misery for the poor ‘Hawks’.
The Russian winger took advantage of great confusion around Petr Mrazek’s goal to complete his hat trick. The entire “Caps” team immediately joined their captain on the ice in celebration, as it rained down hats at the United Center.
He is thus only one success from Howe’s mark (801) and 94 goals from that of Gretzky (894).
Ovechkin is steaming these days. He’s hit the mark in each of his last four games, in which he’s scored seven times.
Thanks to this productive evening, the 37-year-old Muscovite also reached the 20-goal plateau in 2022-2023. He also achieved this feat in each of his first 17 seasons in the league.
“Ovi” and the Capitals flashed the red light at least twice per period in today’s duel. Trevor van Riemsdyk, Anthony Mantha and Dmitry Orlov also contributed to the attacking festival.
Quebecer Nicolas Aubé-Kubel picked up his first two points of the season in the victory.
Tyler Johnson, Jonathan Toews and Max Domi made sure the Illinois team lined up.