Alex Ovechkin scored the game-winning goal in the Capitals’ 4-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night. The goal was the 121st game-winner of his career, tying him with Gordie Howe for second place on the all-time list.
Ovechkin scored a power play goal at 11:48 into the third period, giving the Capitals a 4-2 lead. The tally was assisted by Evgeny Kuznetsov and Nicklas Backstrom. The Devils scored with just 32 seconds to go in a 6-on-5 situation, thus making Ovechkin’s goal the game winner.
OVI MAKES IT FOUR SOMEBODY CALL A DOCTOR pic.twitter.com/cIcuy0hg4t
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) March 27, 2022
Alex Ovechkin’s goal stood as the game winner, marking his 121st career career game-winning goal. That ties Gordie Howe for the second most in NHL history.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) March 27, 2022
This game-winning goal occurred on a night the team was honoring Nicklas Backstrom for his 1,000th career NHL point which was scored on March 9 against the Edmonton Oilers. Backstrom himself scored a go-ahead goal earlier in the third period, which had put the Capitals ahead, 3-2 at the time.
The next game-winning goal Ovechkin scores will give him sole possession of second place on the all-time list in game-winning goals. The only player standing in front of him is Jaromir Jagr, who scored 135 game-winners.
Ovechkin’s goal allowed him to achieve another milestone on Saturday night. He tied Jari Kurri for 21st place in NHL points with 1,398 career NHL points. He is now just two points shy of 1400 NHL points.
With the goal, Ovechkin ties Jari Kurri (1,398) for the 21st most points in NHL history and is two points shy of 1,400 career points.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) March 27, 2022
Saturday night’s milestones join other notable Ovechkin milestones this year, including passing Marcel Dionne (731), Brett Hull (741), and Jaromir Jagr (766) in career goals, passing Dave Andreychuk in power play goals, and moving steadily up the ranks in NHL career points.
By Diane Doyle