The greatest sniper reached the remarkable milestone of 900 goals in the NHL. Washington Capitals’ captain Alexander Ovechkin only needed to score one more goal to become the first player in history with 900 career goals. But the elusive milestone goal proved hard to come by. At the start of the season, he was three goals away from the remarkable mark. Everyone thought Ovi would quickly score the needed goals. However, over a month into the season, the Washington sniper remained stuck at 899 goals, prompting even longtime rivals to cheer him on.
“I know Ovechkin is struggling right now. Washington is playing against St. Louis, then they play against us. Alexander keeps finding ways to amaze, scoring so consistently and so much – it’s not easy. It’s hard to even imagine. I understand the journalists. You guys want Ovi to score his 900th goal against us,” said Pittsburgh Penguins’ captain Sidney Crosby, commenting on Ovechkin’s results.
But the milestone in the game against the perennial Canadian rival was not meant to be. In the second period of the Capitals’ match against the St. Louis Blues, Ovechkin did what everyone had been waiting for – he scored his 900th goal in regular season play. He had a chance to score earlier in the first 20 minutes when his shot on a delayed penalty miraculously did not go in past Jordan Binnington.
The impulsive Blues’ goalkeeper can be considered a full co-author of the milestone goal for the best sniper in hockey history. Firstly, Binnington needlessly left his net and struggled to clear the puck to his teammates, allowing Ovechkin to intercept. After a quick play, Ovechkin’s shot off the sideboards baffled the goalkeeper even more: Binnington failed to move along the goal line in time, and Alexander struck the net from a sharp angle, with an awkward hand shot.
Ovechkin made history once again, scoring his 900th goal in his 1504th career game. The entire Washington bench poured onto the ice to congratulate their captain after the puck went in. This goal was his third of the current season, but the psychological impact is far more significant – now Ovechkin will feel no pressure, and no one will remind him of that stubborn number.
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