Alexander Ovechkin's four-game scoring drought ended as vividly as one could imagine in the Winnipeg home game.
The Russian forward scored twice, first equaling and then surpassing Gordie Howe's all-time NHL goalscoring record.
Now the Great Eight is the second sniper in league history with 802 goals, continuing the quest for Wayne Gretzky's first place.
Alexander is separated from him by 92 accurate throws.
Historical pucks from Ovechkin were expected on Tuesday in a home meeting with Detroit.
If the Russian was successful, a very symbolic story could turn out, because it was in the Red Wings that Howe spent most of his career.
The sons of the Canadian legend Mark and Marty even came to this match, but the Washington captain then managed to distinguish himself only with an assist.
Despite the absence of goals since December 14, Alexander did not lose heart.
After the match with Ottawa, in which none of his six shots on target reached the goal, the hockey player emphasized that there was no reason to worry: sooner or later, the moments created would translate into points.
And that's exactly what happened in the game with Winnipeg.
Abandoned washers turned out to be completely different in execution, but both are a feast for the eyes.
In the 19th minute, the striker was on the right flank of the attack, where he received a tricky discount from Dylan Stroum and, without thinking twice, flashed David Rittich with a wrist throw.
Just a few seconds after the red light lit up outside the goal, the captain found himself in the strong arms of his partners, and the famous counter in the Washington arena was updated to the number 801.
At halftime, Ovechkin was given the opportunity to share his emotions with the public, and he emphasized how unique this opportunity is to score such an important puck in his career in front of his fans.
“We are all making history right now.
I am happy,” Alexander said.
But an even more epoch-making goal awaited him just a minute before the end of the game, when Washington led 3-1, and Winnipeg took off the goaltender in a desperate attempt to recoup.
In that episode, Ovechkin threw compatriot Yevgeny Kuznetsov into the attack, but he did not throw at an empty goal and returned the puck to his partner.
“I didn’t want half the world to be angry with me,” the hockey player explained his decision after the match.
Ovechkin, with his back to the goal and propped up by a defender, threw without looking, relying only on his inner instinct.
And hit.
And then there was a jubilant bunch of all the Capitals hockey players and a video greeting from Howe's sons, who emphasized that if their father were alive, he would welcome this achievement of the Russian striker with great joy.
The Winnipeg players also paid tribute to Ovechkin.
Absolutely every one of them shook hands and congratulated the Great Eight.
And the press service of the Jets on official Twitter published a wish for success in the pursuit of Gretzky.
“Only, we hope, without goals in our gates,” they noted.
When Ovechkin was given the floor at the arena, he again thanked the fans, and then, after a reporter asked if he wanted to say something to the family, he spoke in Russian.
“Mommy, daddy, Nastya, Seryozha, Ilyusha, Mishan, I love you very much,” said the hockey player.
He also emphasized that at the beginning of his career in the NHL, he did not even dream of aiming at any historical achievements.
“When you come into the league, you don’t think that you have to break anyone’s records, much less the achievements of Gordie Howe or Wayne Gretzky.
Rather, you think: “Maybe I’ll get into the NHL, I’ll show a good game and try to give all my best.”
But everything that is happening now is a real miracle.
Something special.
<...> Your name will go down in history forever, ”Ovechkin admitted.
In addition, the Russian expressed the hope that his highest achievements will be surpassed by future generations of hockey players.
“Who knows who will score 800 goals next?
Hope someone can.
I was lucky to stay healthy and be able to score so many goals.
First of all, I want to thank all my teammates and coaches for their trust and for the opportunity to play in different situations.
Without all of them, I would never have been able to achieve these successes and these records, ”admitted the captain of the Capitals.
All this time, congratulations from colleagues, coaches and hockey experts have been received by the Russian unique and, no doubt, will still receive congratulations.
And the main wish, sounding in all these performances, is one - to quickly become the first number in history.
There seems to be no doubt that this will happen.
The only question is when he gets to this milestone.
“Watching what Alex does every day, you start to think that anything is possible.
How he plays, how he scores, how he hits the puck.
He loves this game.
It shows his passion and determination.
Anything is possible,” said Washington Capitals head coach Peter Laviolette.
The specialist stressed that Ovechkin is ready to spend another phenomenal season.
He completed the last one, as we remember, with 50 goals in the regular season.
“He is in great shape.
In what he does, he certainly shows incredible abilities and talent.
He loves the game.
On the ice, he is passionate and determined.
I think if you put it all together and add the fact that he played a lot of matches, then his ability to show a stable result follows from this, ”the coach explained.
Ovechkin himself would probably like to just enjoy this moment of triumph for now, rather than look into the future.
In response to the question "What's next?"
he first jokingly stated that he was going to a bar right now: “Hot dogs, nachos - why not?”
But then he changed his tone to a more serious one.
"Step by step.
There is still a long way to go.
Now is the time to be with the family and share this moment with them, ”concluded the hockey player.