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Ovechkin Reacts To Historic 9th 50-Goal Season: ‘It’s Gonna Stay Here Forever’

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Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin

In the third period of the Washington Capitals’ Wednesday tilt with the Vegas Golden Knights, Alex Ovechkin found himself with the puck on his stick and plenty of time and space for his second of the night — and his history-making 50th goal of the 2021-22 campaign. He made no mistake.

The Great 8 rocketed home a slap shot that beat Logan Thompson, the 160th netminder that Ovechkin has scored on, to make it 3-3 and also give Ovechkin 50 goals in a season for the ninth time in his career. He again made history with that tally, tying Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy for the most 50-goal seasons in NHL history, while also becoming the oldest NHLer to hit that number.

“Obviously, it’s pretty good company. I’m pretty happy,” Ovechkin said postgame. “When you score the first you, just feel pretty good about the game… it’s one of the nights you’re feeling it.”

Evgeny Kuznetsov and Dmitry Orlov picked up the primary assists on Ovechkin’s 49th and 50th goals of the season. And fittingly, Nicklas Backstrom supplied the secondary helper on his history-making strike.

“Yeah, you know those guys know how to play. How I’m always saying, without my teammates, I’d never reach those milestones and those goals,” Ovechkin added.

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As “Ovi” chants echoed through T-Mobile Arena, the same building where he won it all just a few years back, Ovechkin also saw himself move up the NHL’s all-time goals list. He is now at 780 career red lights and is just 20 away from 800, 22 from passing Gordie Howe and 115 from breaking Gretzky’s all-time record.

Ovechkin said it was special to hit that feat in Vegas after hoisting the Stanley Cup for the first time there in 2018. He was also impressed to hear so many fans on the road and was happy to share the milestone.

“Obviously lots of great memories. Locker room, everything, hotel. It’s gonna stay here forever. Pretty fun moments,” Ovechkin said, adding, “It’s pretty cool. How I said, we have lots of fans all over the place. They came to see the game… I thank them.”

Ovechkin is the fourth player to hit the 50-goal mark this season. He is tied with Chris Kreider for third in goals with five games to go. Washington returns to action on Friday for a tilt with the Arizona Coyotes.