Friday night, Alex Ovechkin left an even greater mark on the immortality of hockey history, lacing up his 1500th game in the NHL, and performing a vintage game that sent the Washington Capitals to a 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators at Capital One Arena. The 40-year-old Russian Rocket, who is trying to become the untouchable goal-getter in the history of hockey, scored a goal and an assist, which is a reminder to the league why he is the most dangerous goal-getter of his generation – and possibly of all generations.
The point of marking came in the second period when there was a 1-0 goal in favour of the Caps. Ovechkin collected a centring pass by Tom Wilson on the side of the net and roofed a backhand by Linus Ullmark to start a crowd of 19,000 into a roaring ovation.
Both benches stopped to have a ceremonial faceoff to celebrate the moment, and Senators captain Brady Tkachuk offered Ovechkin a silver stick with the number 1,500 engraved on it. This was the 17th occasion that Ovechkin has either tied or shattered an important record in the NHL, and this feat highlights his combination of durability and deadliness.
It is not a one-night game; it is the journey, Ovechkin said after the game, and his trademark grin hides the weariness of 20 years. Playing this long with these guys, in this city – it is something. But we do not play to build up statistics, we play to win rings. His ninth of the season took him within 27 goals of Gretzky as far as 894, a pace that is making the hockey world redo the calculations on the timelines of the historic pursuit of No. 8.
Second Period Surge Switches Script on Senators
The first goal was scored at 4:12 of the first period when Stutzle struck with a wrister at the slot through Charlie Lindgren’s five-hole after a defensive breakdown by the third pair of Washington. The Senators, who were on a winning streak of four in the past five, had the puck on the first shift, outshooting the Caps 12-5. Washington, which has the third-ranked penalty kill (86.7%) in the league, however, blocked two Ottawa power plays, and this created the comeback.
At 12.45 of the centre frame, the tide changed. Ovechkin was fed by Dylan Strome on the equaliser, before Pierre-Luc Dubois scored 1:37 later, off a scramble, and Washington had the lead. The blue-line bite by the Caps was on display as John Carlson scored at 17:22 on a point shot, cutting the score to 3-1 in the first period. At 8:19 of the last period, Ottawa returned on the blast of Jakob Chychrun, but it was topped by an empty-netter that Connor McMichael scored with 2:11 remaining.
Lindgren was the winner with 28 saves, and his butterfly technique defeated the fast game of Ottawa. Our coach, Spencer Carbery, said, Charlie is our rock. When we look at him, he robs games. The win was a turnaround for Washington, which defeated its second and third games in a row, and it catapulted them to 5-4-1 and third in the Met Division.
Milestone Ties Gordie Howe in Elite Company
The 1,500th game puts Ovechkin in the same category with Gordie Howe, who holds the ironman record at 1,500 and outperforms Patrick Kane (1,496) and Sidney Crosby (1,492) among current players. Only Howe (1,767), Mark Messier (1,756), and Jaromir Jagr (1,733) are up in the all-time games-played outliers. As a player who was picked in the 9th place in 2004, having to survive lockouts, injuries, and rebuilds, it is a sign of Capitals loyalty – Ohtani-like loyalty.
Off ice, the night was a celebration of the resurgence of Washington. An owner, Ted Leonsis, presented a tribute video at halftime, narrated by a Caps legend, Olaf Kolzig, featuring 853 goals, three Hart Trophies, and the 2018 Cup run of Ovechkin. Fans chanted “Ovi! Ovi!” by the third, losing the late charge of Ottawa. He is the bloodline of this franchise, Leonsis grinned. It is just another chapter tonight.
Wilson and Garnet Hathaway, the linemates of Ovechkin, had 12 hits together, and this represents the hard-to-play-against concept of the ethics that Carbery is advertising. The assist of the big wing on the milestone goal gave him a five-game point streak, which was a boost to Washington that was in the middle of the 22nd in goals per game (2.8).
Senators’ Road Woes Deepen Amid Goaltending Gaffes
To Ottawa, the defeat puts them at 4-5-1, revealing weaknesses in their rebuild. Ullmark, who came in the glitzy off-season deal at Boston, failed on 24 will 27 shots, and his lateral mobility failed during the Washington second-period onslaught. Backup Lee Corso was warming the bench, yet the Senators are at a 500 mark and worse: minus-8 goal margin and a power play that is ranked 28th at 15.2.
Fresh off a hat-trick in his rout of Montreal on Tuesday, Tkachuk was unable to get three shots and no points, his line pinned by Washington’s forecheck. We had it at the start of the season, we wore it out, said Tkachuk. “Ovi’s Ovi – you tip your cap.” Assisted by Stutzle, Ottawa paced and still lost, in the youth movement of the club, first shown by the shorthanded goal of Ridly Greig last game, against the vets of Washington.
Under pressure is General Manager Steve Staios, who came under fire following a 2-4 October start. There are whispers of negotiations on a top-six winger with Vancouver’s Conor Garland and Colorado’s Valeri Nichushkin suggested as targets. Staios was interviewed, saying that we are close, but close does not count. They will be tested in the gauntlet of November, which includes road tilts in Montreal, Toronto and Boston.
Greater NHL Watchwaves: Deadline Growth Threatens Trade Deal
The milestone has increased the story of perennial stars in a youthful league with Ovechkin. He is also the top goal scorer at 40 years old with nine goals, which is two goals ahead of Connor McDavid. His chase – estimated at 55 goals a year – has oddsmakers at Vegas reducing Gretzky-overtake to +200 in 2025-26. McDavid said before the game, it was a job that could be done by anyone. “The guy’s a freak.”
The game highlights the credentials of the contender of Washington. The Caps are boosted by the offseason acquisitions of Dubois (11.25 million AAV) and Logan Thompson in net, and are looking to have a deep playoff run. Their 4-1-1 record at home and the 2.0 goals-against average, which leads the league, scream credibility. However, Aliaksei Protas (wrist) and Martin Fehervary’s (concussion protocol) injuries provoke depth.
The rumour mills ran high league-wide as a result of the night. According to the insiders, Ottawa is targeting Nazem Kadri of Calgary to add some centre grit, and Buffalo brings Jordan Greenway off of IR, giving its team some size. The February 26 trade deadline is looming, and 10 early candidates, such as Jake Allen of Montreal and Clayton Keller of the Utah Utes, are on the block.
Eyes on November: Caps Chase Atlantic Crown
With November around the corner, Florida comes to Washington on Monday, taking a second-round repeat of the second-round battle of the spring. Ovechkin, who had a day of rest following a maintenance day, promises to be focused. Mileposts are great, but flags wave perpetually. In the case of Ottawa, a recovery in Montreal is a must; otherwise, their hot run can go by.
On a year of equality – 12 different teams within three points of a wild card – the night of Ovechkin makes us remember: heroes do not get old, they make an age. The Capital One Arena throbbed with that fact on Friday, pointing towards a franchise that was always attached to the quest of No. 8.