Ovechkin scores 800th goal, caps off hat trick to join Gretzky, Howe
Alex Ovechkin joined Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe as the only NHL players to score 800 career goals when he completed a hat trick against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night.
Alex Ovechkin Goal #800 pic.twitter.com/u78vNr8zK6
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) December 14, 2022
The Capitals star was fired up about reaching the milestone.
Ovi was mic'd up for goal No. 800 — just listen to the elation. 🎤 #Gr800 pic.twitter.com/ssEBVB8jEw
— NHL (@NHL) December 14, 2022
Ovechkin explained his reaction when asked about it after the Capitals' 7-3 win.
"As soon as it happened, kind of relief, kind of happiness in general," the Russian winger said, according to the Washington Post's Samantha Pell.
He also praised the fans in Chicago for supporting him in what could've been a hostile environment for the Capitals.
"They were great," he said. "Cheering my name, throwing their hats. Even in the warmups, I was feeling that energy right away. The fans watch me and the fans wanted to see that historical moment."
Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette echoed that sentiment, crediting the United Center crowd for giving Ovechkin a lengthy standing ovation and realizing the moment transcended the typical hockey rivalries.
"The fans here did a really good job of taking a second and just honoring something," the bench boss said, according to The Athletic's Mark Lazerus. "Because they're hockey fans, and what happened was a hockey moment. It was about a win or a loss or Chicago against Washington. Somebody did something great and the hockey fans in Chicago noticed."
Ovechkin is now one goal behind Howe and 94 behind Gretzky for the all-time record.
The 37-year-old tallied his total in 462 fewer games than Howe played.
| Player | Goals | Games Played |
|---|---|---|
| Gretzky | 894 | 1487 |
| Howe | 801 | 1767 |
| Ovechkin | 800 | 1305 |
Ovechkin has buried 20 goals in 31 contests this season. The nine-time Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy winner produced three other multi-goal games in 2022-23 - including one less than a week ago - but Tuesday night's effort was his first hat trick of the campaign.
It was the 29th three-goal game of Ovechkin's career, moving him ahead of Marcel Dionne and Bobby Hull for sixth on the all-time list. Gretzky also tops that group with 50.
Ovechkin has already set records this season. In early November, the veteran sniper broke Howe's all-time mark for goals with a single franchise. Then, just before the end of the month, he set the record for most road goals in NHL history.