In Washington, Alex Ovechkin swiftly moved closer to Wayne Gretzky`s record, scoring his 893rd goal and getting within two goals of Gretzky`s all-time NHL record.
Ovechkin scored against Spencer Knight at 3:52 of the Washington Capitals` home game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night. He received a pass from Dylan Strome behind the net and shot the puck, banking it off the far post and Knight`s back into the net.
After the goal, Ovechkin`s personal goal song, “Shake, Rattle & Roll” by Big Joe Turner, played over the arena speakers, and mascot Slapshot flipped the counter from 892 to 893. Fans chanted “Ovi! Ovi!” before and after play resumed.
This goal brought Ovechkin closer to a historic hockey achievement, with Gretzky in attendance for the first time to witness the record chase.
Scoring in his fourth consecutive game, Ovechkin reached 40 goals for the 14th time in 20 seasons, which is a league record. The Capitals, leading the Eastern Conference, have six games left in the regular season, with their next game being a visit to the New York Islanders on Sunday.
