WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 10: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals shoots and scores his 500th career NHL goal in the second period against the Ottawa Senators at the Verizon Center on January 10, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
Alex Ovechkin has joined an exclusive club in the NHL thanks to yet another great accomplishment.
The 32-year-old Russian winger scored his 600th career goal Monday night in the Washington Capitals’ 3-2 overtime home victory over the Winnipeg Jets. Ovechkin achieved the feat in his 990th regular-season game. Only Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Brett Hull have reached the 600-mile mark faster.
Ovechkin’s big moment came in the form of a rebound goal past Connor Hellebuyck 3:53 into the middle period, and was his 42nd score of the season. Ovechkin also scored 4:35 in the first period on a 5-on-3 power play.
Fans at Capital One Arena gave the Russian veteran a nearly minute-long standing ovation after he reached the 600-goal mark, and chants of “Ovi! Ovi!” rang throughout the venue.
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No player 32 or older has led the NHL in goals since Phil Esposito in 1974-75.
Two of Ovechkin’s former Capitals teammates, Matt Hendricks and Mathieu Perreault, were watching from the Jets’ side when the Russian scored, and the pair lauded the veteran for his achievement.
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 10: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals shoots and scores his 500th career NHL goal in the second period against the Ottawa Senators at the Verizon Center on January 10, 2016 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
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