Ovechkin joins NHL’s 700 Club
Alex Ovechkin became the eight NHL player to score 700 career goals, reaching the milestone in the third period of the Washington’ Capitals’ 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.
The 34-year-old Ovechkin one-timed a slap shot from the right circle that went in off the left post 4:50 into the third period, tying the game at 2. It was his 42nd goal of the season, one behind Boston’s David Pastrnak for the league lead, and came on his second shot on goal of the game.
Capitals players rushed onto the ice to congratulate their teammate, and Devils fans gave him a strong ovation.
Wayne Gretzky leads the career list with 894 goals. He is followed by Gordie Howe (801), Jaromir Jagr (766), Brett Hull (741), Marcel Dionne (731), Phil Esposito (717) and Mike Gartner (708).
The Russian forward needed 1,144 games to reach the landmark, second-fastest behind Gretzky at 886 games. He moved from 600 goals to 700 in 154 games, the fewest among the eight players to reach the mark.
The first overall pick in the 2004 draft, Ovechkin has 1,270 points since the start of his rookie season in 2005, just ahead of Penguins star Sidney Crosby (1,256) since they both debuted that year.
Washington lost its fourth straight and fell to 3-7-1 in its past 11 games.
Hurricanes 6, Maple Leafs 3 — Emergency backup goalie Dave Ayres made eight saves in relief of Carolina’s two injured netminders in the Hurricanes’ victory.
Ayres, who works as a Zamboni driver for the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League, was forced into action midway through the second period after Carolina’s James Reimer and Petr
Mrazek were injured. The Hurricanes were leading 3-1 when the 42-year-old Ayres took over.
Warren Foegele scored twice, Martin Necas had a goal and an assist, and Lucas Wallmark, Nino Niederreiter and Sebastian Aho also scored for Carolina.
Canadiens 3, Senators 0 — Max Domi had a pair of goals to help Montreal.
Carey Price stopped 30 shots for his fourth shutout of the season, while Paul Byron also scored.
Already playing without Tyler Ennis and Vladislav Namestnikov, both healthy scratches, the Senators (2130-11) then lost Thomas Chabot midway through the first and struggled to create anything offensively.
Craig Anderson made 32 saves in defeat.
Sabres 5, Penguins 2 — Jack Eichel scored twice for Buffalo.
Eichel, Zemgus Girgensons and Sam Reinhart all beat Tristan Jarry during an early three-goal outburst and Connor Hutton turned away 41 shots as the Sabres earned just their second regulation victory in their last 20 meetings with Pittsburgh.
Jeff Skinner picked up his first goal since early December with a pretty deflection in the third period and Eichel’s second goal of the game and 35th of the season gave Buffalo its fourth win in its last five games.
Evgeni Malkin picked up his 19th and 20th goals for Pittsburgh.
Flyers 4, Jets 2 — Scott Laughton scored two goals to lead the streaking Flyers.
Sean Couturier and Tyler Pitlick also scored and Justin Braun had three assists for the Flyers, who won their third straight and fourth in the last five to improve to 215-4 at home.
Philadelphia entered the day third in the Metropolitan Division and five points behind first-place Boston and Pittsburgh.
Laughton had a chance for a hat trick, but he shot just wide of an empty net with about 30 seconds left after the Jets pulled their goalie for an extra attacker.
Rangers 3, Sharks 2 — Jesper Fast scored twice and Igor Shesterkin made 44 saves as the Rangers won their third straight game.