Alex Ovechkin Scores 800th Career Goal

Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin had a big night in Chicago on December 13th. The Capitals’ team captain had a hat trick in leading Washington to a 7-3 win over the Blackhawks, but goal number three of that hat trick was even more special than the others, as it was Ovechkin’s 800th career goal.

Ovechkin is third all time in goals scored, and he’ll be 2nd very soon. Gordie Howe, with 801 goals, is the current #2. Wayne Gretzky is the all time leader at 894. That number should be considered within reach for Ovechkin. He’s 37 years old but is showing no signs of slowing down. He’s scored 20 goals in 31 games so far this season; last year he scored 50 in 77 games. He should break the record if he plays three or four more seasons, and as long as he can avoid injuries. Overall he’s been pretty durable; toss out the shortened Covid season of 2020-21, and Ovechkin has played in 77 or more games in 13 of his 16 full seasons.