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.
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.
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.
