“The GR8 Chase” is still very much on in the nation’s capital.
Down 2-1 late in the third period on Tuesday, the Washington Capitals needed a clutch goal to tie things against the Western Conference-leading Winnipeg Jets.
So, who else but the captain Alexander Ovechkin to fire the puck past goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, the likely 2024-25 Vezina Trophy winner? The 39-year-old has scored 10 times in his last 10 games against the Jets.
The game-tying tally from Ovechkin’s trademark “office” (the left faceoff circle) was his 36th of the season and the 889th of his career.
That leaves him just six goals from passing Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky for the most in NHL history (894).
With 11 games left in the regular season, Ovechkin is on pace to tie Gretzky on April 10 against the Carolina Hurricanes and break his record on April 13 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Despite Ovechkin’s effort, Washington went on to fall 3-2 in overtime to Winnipeg as the battle for the President’s Trophy (most standings points in the league) drags on.
