The question on everyone’s mind heading into the 2019-20 season was when Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin would reach the 700-goal milestone, as he entered the season with 658 goals and would need a reasonable 42 goals to become the eighth player in NHL history to reach the seven century mark in Goals Scored. On Saturday afternoon against the New Jersey Devils, the 34-year old former first overall pick accomplished just that.
Having already passed greats such as Teemu Selanne, Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman, and Mark Messier this season, Ovechkin scored his 699th goal against the Montreal Canadiens on February 20. Ovechkin scored his 700th at the 4:50 mark of the third period, tying the game 2-2. Evgeny Kuznetsov and Nick Jensen were credited with the assists on the goal. After a celebration of his own, Ovechkin was mobbed by his teammates, who rushed off the bench to mark the historic tally.
Alex 👑 OvechKING 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯 pic.twitter.com/YCQHGZblsG
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 22, 2020
Ovechkin, who entered the game against New Jersey with 41 goals on the season, is the eighth player to reach 700 goals in his career, and is now nine goals from passing Capitals great Mike Gartner (708) for seventh all-time in Goals Scored. He is also the second-fastest player (1,444 games) to reach the mark, following Wayne Gretzky, who accomplished the feat in 886 games.
Alex Ovechkin after scoring his 700th career goal in New Jersey. #700vi pic.twitter.com/4fivHJT9NH
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 22, 2020
Ovechkin joins Gordie Howe as the only players to score 700 goals with one franchise, and passes Brett Hulls for fourth-most most Road Goals in the process.
Alex Ovechkin has joined Gordie Howe (786 on the Red Wings) as the only players to record 700+ career goals with one franchise. He’s also passed Brett Hull for the 4th most career road goals in NHL history (354- just 1 off Jaromir Jagr for 3rd)
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) February 22, 2020
A call from Radio play-by-play announcer John Walton:
Hear @WaltonCaps call #700vi!!
February 22, 2020, remember where you were#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/nfKvitWVZB — Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 22, 2020
The Capitals posted a tribute video to Ovechkin on social media, shortly after the red light was lit. The Devils’ crowd also saluted the Capitals’ captain on his monumental achievement.
The Gr8est Goal Scorer of All Time. #700vi #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/JZSjEITYlo
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 22, 2020
Even on the road, we all salute you, @ovi8. #700VI pic.twitter.com/3QX0BYlURj
— NHL (@NHL) February 22, 2020
By Michael Fleetwood
