Alexander Ovechkin played a hockey game on Tuesday, so naturally he made more NHL history.
The Russian star for the Washington Capitals helped his team out to a fast and early lead against the New York Rangers, notching two goals in the first period alone.
BACK-TO-BACK GOALS FOR OVI IN JUST MINUTES
Alex Ovechkin’s goal No. 856 and 857 give the Caps a 2-1 lead pic.twitter.com/54GmjfkVXf
His two tallies were career goals Nos. 856 and 857, making him just 37 short of Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL record (894).
But on top of inching closer to “The Great One,” Ovechkin climbed three other notable leaderboards with his first-period efforts Tuesday.
Ovechkin’s two goals allowed him to pass Jaromir Jagr (538) for third on the league’s all-time even-strength goal list with 540. Only Gretzky (617) and Gordie Howe (566) are ahead of him now.
With two even-strength goals in the first period, Alex Ovechkin passed Jaromir Jagr (538) for the third most even-strength goals in NHL history. pic.twitter.com/sqCmp6eJvt
In addition to that, Ovechkin’s two-goal first period marked his 82nd multi-goal period of his career. Gretzky (90) is the only other player in NHL history with more.
It was also his 174th career multi-goal game, just 15 behind — you guessed it — Gretzky who leads the all-time list with 189.
Ovechkin’s markers Tuesday were his third and fourth in 11 career games against New York goalie Igor Shesterkin, a fellow Russian.
Washington prevailed 5-3 in its first meeting with the Rangers, who swept the team during the opening round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
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