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After a tough, overtime loss in Game 2 at Capital One Arena on Monday, the Washington Capitals were hoping to get off to a good start against the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night. While it took until the second period, they did just that on a goal from captain Alex Ovechkin.
Ovechkin, who had yet to light the lamp in the 2021 postseason, scored his first of the playoffs at the 8:21 mark of the second on an assist from Anthony Mantha.
THAT’S OUR CAPTAIN! pic.twitter.com/ng5eHrH7Tz
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) May 19, 2021
The goal marked Ovechkin’s 70th career postseason tally, tying him with Detroit Red Wings great Steve Yzerman for the 17th-most in NHL history. Only three other European-born players, one-time Capitals Esa Tikkanen and Jaromir Jagr, and Jari Kurri, have reached 70 career playoff goals.
The @Capitals Alex Ovechkin has tied Steve Yzerman tonight for 17th in career playoff goals (70). He joins Jari Kurri (106), Jaromir Jagr (78) & Esa Tikkanen (72) as the only Europeans in PO history to reach the 70+ mark while he & Tikkanen are also the only left wingers to do so pic.twitter.com/upPccMNA0h
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) May 20, 2021
The goal was also Ovechkin’s 800th overall goal of his career (regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs), making him just the sixth player to do so, and sits three from passing Mark Messier for fifth-highest combined total.
That’s 8️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ NHL goals for @ovi8 (regular season and playoffs). #StanleyCup
He’s the sixth player in League history to reach the milestone and sits three back of tying Mark Messier for the NHL’s fifth highest combined total. #NHLStats: https://t.co/blmgZJQLEC pic.twitter.com/dgDGNvMOFv
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) May 19, 2021
By Michael Fleetwood
