John McCreary/NHLI via Getty Images

Over the course of their time together, Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin and defenseman John Carlson have teamed up for a number of milestone moments and history-making plays. During the team’s first game following the 2022 All-Star break, both players found themselves a little higher in two respective record books with helpers on a goal by Evgeny Kuznetsov.

Kuznetsov’s 15th goal of the 2021-22 regular season on the power play at the 15:57 mark of the second period against the Columbus Blue Jackets saw Ovechkin record the primary assist while Carlson was credited with the secondary helper.

Kuzy wins the All-Star game, comes back, and casually gives the @Capitals the lead with a PPG

No big deal. pic.twitter.com/XiGvKT6CD4

— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) February 9, 2022

With the primary assist, Ovechkin moved past longtime NHL defenseman Sergei Zubov for the third-most Assists in NHL history by a Russian-born player, picking up his 620th career assist.

Alex Ovechkin recorded the primary assist on Kuznetsov’s goal. With that assist, Ovechkin has passed Sergei Zubov (619) for the third most assists by a Russian player in NHL history.

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) February 9, 2022

With the secondary assist on the goal, Carlson moved past his former NHL and Juniors Head Coach (and Capitals great) Dale Hunter for the sixth-most points in franchise history, with his 557th career/Capitals point. Carlson tied Hunter for sixth on February 1, 2022.

John Carlson recorded the secondary assist on Kuznetsov’s goal. With that assist, Carlson has passed Dale Hunter (556) for the sixth most points in franchise history (Carlson: 124g, 433a).

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) February 9, 2022

Carlson sits 43 points away from passing Michal Pivonka (599) for fifth-most points in franchise history.

By Michael Fleetwood