Photo: Dave Reginek/NHLI via Getty Images
The Washington Capitals fell to the Detroit Red Wings, 3-1, Thursday night in the Motor City. And while the Capitals results have been somewhat underwhelming to start the 2022-23 season, Capitals’ captain Alex Ovechkin continues his attack on the NHL’s record book.
Ovechkin scored the 786th goal of his career, tying Gordie Howe for most goals with a single franchise. The marker came midway through the middle frame, giving the Capitals an early 1-0 lead.
No. 786 for Alex Ovechkin as he ties Gordie Howe for the most goals with one franchise.
Caps lead 1-0 pic.twitter.com/lyFnaLvI1H
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) November 4, 2022
Ovechkin needs just 14 more goals to reach the 800-goal plateau and 16 more goals to take over sole possession of second place on the NHL’s all-time career goals list.
Alex Ovechkin scores his sixth goal of the season to put the Capitals ahead 1-0. With the goal, Ovechkin ties Gordie Howe (786g) for the most goals with one franchise in NHL history.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) November 4, 2022
Ovechkin achieved several other milestones on Thursday night. The goal was his 400th on the road, which is second only to Wayne Gretzky, who scored 402 goals away from home.
The goal also marked Ovechkin’s 400th career goal he has scored on the road, trailing only Wayne Gretzky (402) for the most in NHL history.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) November 4, 2022
Ovechkin’s goal was also his first against Detroit goaltender, Ville Husso, who becomes the 161st goaltender on which he has scored against.
Ovechkin trails Jaromir Jagr (178), Patrick Marleau (177), and Mark Messier (164) but has played in nearly 500 fewer games. Marleau (1779) is first in NHL games played, Messier (1756) is third, and Jagr (1734) is fourth. Ovechkin currently ranks 72nd in games played with 1286.
Ovechkin’s 161 goaltenders scored on ranks fourth in NHL history, trailing only Jaromir Jagr (178), Patrick Marleau (177) and Mark Messier (164). Among these players, Marleau ranks first in NHL history in games played, Messier third and Jagr fourth. Ovechkin ranks 72nd.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) November 4, 2022
The goal was also the 1,420th point of Ovechkin’s career, which allowed him to tie Adam Oates for 19th place in career points. He is only five points behind Bryan Trottier (1425).
The Capitals have the day off on Friday and return to action Saturday night when they host the Arizona Coyotes at Capital One Arena. Puck drop is set for just after 7PM.
By Diane Doyle
