WASHINGTON — Alex Ovechkin He broke the NHL record for most goals with one team when he scored his 787th for the Washington Capitals in a 3-2 loss to the Arizona Coyotes at Capital One Arena on Saturday.
“Obviously, it’s a huge moment,” Ovechkin said. “The last couple games it was big milestones and, unfortunately, we didn’t get the win. But it’s a special moment, and it’s nice to have both my kids, my wife, all the fans (here). My parents watched in Moscow. So it’s a special moment.”
Ovechkin gave the Capitals a 1-0 lead at 8:55 of the second period with a one-timer off a pass from the left circle. Trevor van Riemsdyk on a power play.
“I just got out there late on the power play, and it’s always a good idea to get him the puck on that side, and he did the heavy lifting there,” van Riemsdyk said. “A great shot and incredible accomplishment. Best goal-scorer ever, and just another milestone along the way.”
Ovechkin passed Gordie Howe, who scored 786 goals in 1,687 games over 25 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings from 1946-1971. Ovechkin reached the milestone in his 1,287th game with the Capitals, who selected him with the No. 1 pick in the 2004 NHL Draft
The 37-year-old left wing had tied the record when he scored his 786th goal in the second period of a 3-1 loss at Detroit on Thursday, when Howe’s son, Mark, was in attendance. The goal was scored about three miles from the site of the Olympia, where Howe scored his 786th goal for Detroit on April 3, 1971.
“I played my whole career here in Washington,” Ovechkin said after tying Howe. “Tied with a legend, it’s a pretty big number, and it’s a pretty cool accomplishment.”
Video: ARI@WSH: Ovechkin passes Howe to break record
Ovechkin, who has seven goals in 13 games this season, also moved within 14 goals of Howe for second in NHL history. Howe ended his NHL career with 801 after scoring 15 goals in 80 games for the Hartford Whalers in 1979-80 following six seasons in the World Hockey Association (1973-79) and two years of retirement.
“I’m always saying to stay on one team for all of my career is my goal,” Ovechkin said. “Obviously, I’m lucky enough to be able to do that kind of stuff. So, it’s pretty cool.”
Mark Howe knows it’s only a matter of time before Ovechkin passes his father’s total, which would leave him trailing only Wayne Gretzky, who owns the NHL record with 894 goals.
“His shot’s as good as any,” Mark said. “There are very few people that have that knack. Once they start losing it, they start hitting the goalie in the crest. His pucks are still going in the corner.
“It’s obvious that he loves what he’s doing. Sometimes money, people get satisfied. He’s not satisfied. You can tell he’s driven. He wants to win. He’s one [heck] of a goal-scorer.”
NHL.com columnist Nicholas J. Cotsonika and independent correspondent Dave Hogg contributed to this report
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