The Washington Capitals’ captain, Russian winger Alexander Ovechkin, found the back of the net on the power play at 1:4 in the NHL regular-season clash against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The goal marked a milestone moment for the Capitals, as it represented their 300th power-play goal in team history, a feat the veteran accomplished as the first player to reach that milestone in NHL annals.
When Toronto rookie Joseph Wall answered with a goal, Ovechkin benefited from the setup by defenseman John Carlson and winger Tom Wilson, while the Maple Leafs were reduced to fewer skaters after TJ Brodie was ejected for tripping.
Ovechkin’s career total rose to 823 goals, adding 42 tallies from the prior season. He sits 71 goals shy of Wayne Gretzky’s historic NHL record, with Gretzky still holding the top spot at 894 goals. This chase remains a defining storyline around the league as Ovechkin continues to climb the all-time list of NHL snipers.
Washington found themselves near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, collecting 3 points after five games. Toronto, conversely, sat in third place with eight points after six contests, underscoring the uneven early goings for both clubs.
Earlier reports in the United States explored the potential for Ovechkin to be traded away from Washington, a topic that has periodically resurfaced as the team navigates its roster and the evolving dynamics of the league. [Citation: NHL stat sheets and league coverage]