The Great Eight wasted no time getting on the board Monday night as the Capitals clashed with the Vancouver Canucks at Captial One Arena. Captain Alex Ovechkin scored his first goal of the season, which marked career goal No. 781.

Just fifty-six seconds into the opening frame, Ovechkin (1) gave the Capitals an early 1-0 lead on the man advantage. Wingers Marcus Johansson (1) and Dylan Strome (3) assisted.

Nature is healing pic.twitter.com/qPxHNG82gC

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 17, 2022

The 37-year-old is now 21 goals away from the second-most goals in NHL history, which is held now by Gordie Howe (801).

It’s Ovechkin’s 781st career goal, leaving him 21 goals shy of Gordie Howe (801) for the second-most goals in NHL history.

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) October 17, 2022

Additionally, Ovechkin is six goals shy of passing Howe (786g) for the most goals with one franchise in NHL history.

7️⃣8️⃣1️⃣ pic.twitter.com/kBvalPlfiF

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 17, 2022

Johansson’s assist marked his second point (1g, 1a) in his last three games. Strome has recorded three assists in four games with Washington and has factored in on both of the Capitals’ power play goals this season.

Also from #NHLStats

Alex Ovechkin scored 56 seconds into the first period, marking his 11th career goal in the opening minute of regulation. The only players with more: Sidney Crosby (13), Mark Messier (13), Dave Taylor (12), Phil Esposito (12) and Gordie Howe (12).

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) October 18, 2022

By Della Young