Ovechkin reaches 600-goal milestone

WASHINGTON Alex Ovechkin isn’t ready to hand over the goal-scoring crown without a fight.

With Winnipeg Jets sniper Patrik Laine going on a hot streak to move into a tie in the chase for the Rocket Richard Trophy on the weekend, the Washington Capitals captain scored twice and hit an important milestone in what turned out to be a 3-2 overtime victory Monday at Capital One Arena.

Evgeny Kuznetsov scored the winner with 48.6 seconds left in overtime.

By scoring twice, Ovechkin became the 20th player to reach 600 goals and the fourth fastest to hit the mark behind Brett Hull, Mario Lemieux and Wayne Gretzky.

Ovechkin accomplished the feat in 990 NHL games, with 47 of those goals coming against the Jets/Atlanta Thrashers franchise.

“It’s unbelievable. It’s indescribable really,” said Jets forward Mathieu Perreault, who previously played for the Capitals. “The way he can shoot the puck and score goals is beyond what you can even think about. I’m very happy for him, I got to play with him and I know him as a person, too.”

Laine got in on the action at 5:02 of the third period, burying his shot for his 41st goal of the season, which tied the game. Laine extended his point streak to 12 games. Nikolaj Ehlers had the other Jets goal.

The Jets close out this six-game road trip on Tuesday against the Nashville Predators.

Ovechkin scored his 600th at 3:53 of the second period.

The joy was evident on his face after the goal and, following a thunderous roar from the crowd, folks inside Capital One Arena gave the captain a standing ovation.