NEWARK, N.J. - Alex Ovechkin came into the NHL as a fresh-faced 20-year-old in 2005 and offered a glimpse of what was to come, scoring 52 goals in that first campaign. On Saturday, at 34, his greatness fully realized and his hair flecked with gray, he scored the 700th goal of his remarkable career, becoming the eighth NHL player to reach the milestone.
Ovechkin's goal at 4:50 of the third period during the Washington Capitals' 3-2 loss at the New Jersey Devils was the landmark tally. The goal, which tied the score at 2, was assisted by Evgeny Kuznetsov and Nick Jensen.
As he was falling down behind the net, Kuznetsov fed Ovechkin, and the captain unleashed a one-timer from the right faceoff dot that beat Devils goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood.
His teammates excitedly jumped off the bench, and the game was momentarily stopped as the Devils' fans gave him a standing ovation.
Ovechkin joined Gordie Howe (786 with Detroit) as the only player with 700 goals for one franchise.
Washington Post
