Ovechkin Rushed To Secure Puck For Capitals Coach Laviolette’s 700th Win

It was a night to remember in Nashville for the Washington Capitals, as the team turned things around for a vital 4-1 victory that not only saw Alex Ovechkin climb multiple all-time lists, but also saw head coach Peter Laviolette collect his 700th career victory in his homecoming.

And as the horn sounded and the game came to an end, Ovechkin, who scored two goals in the win, was quick to track down the puck and secure it in order to get it to Laviolette to commemorate the victory.

This guy…
✅ Scored two goals
✅ Notched his 16th 30-goal season
✅ Secured the game puck for his coach

Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Mq2VdxWGvH

— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) February 16, 2022

The Great 8 has spoken highly of his coach, who joined Washington to start the 2020-21 season following an impressive six-year tenure with the Preds. Laviolette won the Stanley Cup with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006 and has also been to the Stanley Cup Final three times in his 20-year NHL career.

“I think he’s honest to the player. He loves hockey. That’s the most important thing. He wants to win, he always wants to be a champion. He’s that kind of person,” Ovechkin said of Laviolette.

The Capitals captain also said it was important to collect the relic for his head coach, and that the team is thrilled that he reached the milestone in fitting fashion.

“Yeah. Obviously he have a long, good career,” Ovechkin told NBC Sports Washington of collecting the relic for Laviolette. “It’s a huge number, you know? Happy for him.”

Laviolette also tied Mike Babcock for the ninth-most wins ever among NHL head coaches. His 700 victories rank third among active coaches in the league.