Ovechkin's record

After Alexander Ovechkin matched Gordie Howe's record for the number of goals for one NHL team in a match with Detroit, it became clear that the achievement, which had lasted since 1971, would be beaten any day.

The captain of “Washington”, who gained momentum after a nondescript start of the season and regularly replenished the scorer's account in four games in a row, did not shelve the matter and scored in the very next game.

Quite fortunately for the many fans of the Capitals, the historic event fell on a home meeting with the Arizona.

Ovechkin's 787th goal came in the 29th minute of the match and looked pretty mundane.

The Russian took his usual “office” in the left faceoff circle and, having received a pass from Trevor van Riemsdyk, sent the puck into the net in touch.

And at that very moment, Capital One Arena roared with delight.

The audience greeted the record of the Great Eight standing up, and he himself did not hide his emotions.

Seeing a red light outside the opponent's goal, the striker let out a joyful cry and even jumped on the spot.

As the hockey player admitted after the game, he was determined to score this iconic goal in the home game, with the support of the stands and close people.

“I thought it would be great to match him, but it's much cooler to beat his record here... The last few games have been huge milestones, although we unfortunately didn't win them.

However, this is a special moment and I am very happy that my children, my wife and my fans are here.

My parents watched the game in Moscow.

So this is an important point.

I always say that my goal is to stay all my career in one team.

Obviously, in this regard, I was very lucky.

It's very cool," said the captain of "Washington".

The author of the assist van Rimsdijk was one of the first to congratulate his partner right on the ice, and then shared his impressions of what happened.

“I went on the ice towards the end of the power play.

Giving him a pass to the other side is always a good idea, and he's done all the hard work himself.

Great shot and incredible achievement.

The best scorer in history, and another milestone on his way, ”the official NHL website quotes the words of the American hockey player.

Ovechkin's achievement is of great importance not only for himself, but for Washington as a whole.

Club owner Ted Leonsis said the Capitals veteran had rewritten history.

"Thank you Alex" - such a message he left on Twitter.

It took the Russian striker 1,287 games to reach the record high.

For comparison, Howe scored 786 goals in Detroit in 1,687 games, and it took him 25 seasons from 1946 to 1971.

Ovechkin also climbed to a clean 19th place on the NHL's all-time leading scorers list with another goal, beating another Canadian, Adam Oates.

The Russian now has 1421 (787 + 634) points, and only two effective actions separate him from the next line, where Pittsburgh forward Sidney Crosby (1423) is located.

In addition, in the match with Arizona, Ovechkin hit the net of Karel Veimelk for the first time, and the Czech goalkeeper became the 162nd "victim" in the Washington captain's list for his entire career.

Only Jaromir Jagr (178), Patrick Marlo (177) and Mark Messier (164) have scored more goals.

Alas, all the new achievements of Ovechkin, who was recognized as the first star of the meeting, were overshadowed by another defeat of his team.

"Washington" led 2-0 at the beginning of the third period, but managed to miss three goals in a row, and the decisive one - just 36 seconds before the final siren.

The fourth consecutive defeat of the wards of Peter Laviolette is a matter of serious concern.

In addition, in the game with Arizona, the infirmary of the Capitals, where TJ Oshi, Niklas Backström and Tom Wilson are already located, was replenished by Dmitry Orlov.

Ovechkin noted that the team certainly lacks players who are now injured, but this does not justify a losing streak.

“Everything starts with us as leaders, and we can’t write off failures as injuries.

Now we must all harness ourselves to work, do not panic and do not think that everything is over.

We just have to come to our senses and play as a single team, as a whole, ”the captain emphasized.

Anniversary four points of Kucherov

Another incredible match was given by Tampa forward Nikita Kucherov.

His contribution to the team's home victory over the unyielding Buffalo (5:3) is hard to overestimate.

The Russian scored an assistant hat-trick and scored his sixth goal of the season.

For the 20th time in his career, the striker is gaining four points in a match, and this is a record figure in the history of the Lightning.

Kucherov could have distinguished himself in the reporting meeting several times, but the goalkeeper of the guests, Eric Comrie, played excellently, repelling the attacks of the Russian three times.

However, a minute before the final siren, Nikita still got his way, although he had already thrown into an empty net.

All this allowed the striker to extend his scoring streak to ten matches and take third place in the NHL scorer race.

Now Kucherov has 20 points (6 + 14), and he is only five points behind the leader, Connor McDavid of Edmonton.

Nikita was recognized as the third star of the meeting and received a lot of compliments from both the head coach of the team, John Cooper, and from partners.

Particular admiration for the Russian was expressed by Brandon Hagel, who scored the puck from his transfer.

“On the ice, he works wonders, you never know what he will do.

He is a player of such a high level that you always need to be ready with him, ”said the Canadian striker.