Ovechkin Joins Exclusive 900-Goal Club with Milestone Goal

Alex Ovechkin has officially joined the NHL's exclusive 900-goal club, making history as the first player to reach this remarkable milestone. The achievement occurred during the Washington Capitals' game against the St.

Louis Blues, where Ovechkin scored his 900th goal just 2:39 into the second period, propelling the Capitals to a commanding 6-1 victory. Ovechkin reflected on the significance of this milestone, stating, 'It's a huge number, no one ever did it in NHL history and to be the first player to ever do it, it's a special moment.' This goal was made possible after Ovechkin capitalized on a rebound from Jakob Chychrun, backhanding it past Blues goalie Jordan Binnington, who later humorously acknowledged his role in the play by saying he had 'full intention' to give Ovechkin the puck back after hiding it in his pants.

Binnington, who had a challenging night in goal, gave up four goals on just 15 shots before being pulled from the game. Despite the setback, he praised Ovechkin, calling it 'incredible' for the legendary player to still make plays like that at age 40.

Ovechkin's journey to 900 goals has been a testament to his consistency, having rarely missed significant playing time due to injury throughout his career. According to ESPN, Ovechkin has spaced out his milestones over the years, with his 900th goal coming after notable achievements at 800, 700, and so on.

His teammate John Carlson noted that the team expects Ovechkin to build momentum from this accomplishment. 'None of us can relate to a 'slump' for him,' Carlson said. Ovechkin is currently in the final season of his contract, and while reaching 1,000 goals might be a tall order, he remains undeterred. 'If someone asks me if he's going to score 30 this year, I'd say, 'Yes, guaranteed,'' said longtime teammate T.J.

Oshie, pointing to Ovechkin's remarkable ability to defy expectations. With this goal, Ovechkin also tallied 977 goals when combining his regular season and playoff total, trailing only Wayne Gretzky, who holds 1,016 total goals.

The atmosphere at Capital One Arena was electric, with fans celebrating Ovechkin's achievement as he posed for photos with the milestone puck in the locker room post-game. The moment was further underscored by the presence of his family and fans, marking a special occasion in a storied career.