Alex Ovechkin's 1,500th Game Offers Perspective & A Shot At More History
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin is set to play in career game No. 1,500 on Saturday, and is closing in on yet another milestone.
WASHINGTON — There’s no stopping Alex Ovechkin.
Even at 40 years old, the Washington Capitals captain is still out there, shift after shift, loving the game that’s been his life. All the while, he’s on the verge of history.
Set to play in his 1,500th career NHL game on Saturday, Ovechkin also sits one goal away from 900 in his career, a feat that’s never been reached. He’s also one third-period tally away from the most third-period goals of all time, a record held by no other than Wayne Gretzky.
Still, when the milestone’s brought up, Ovechkin remains modest, offering the same answer he’s given time and time again: “Special… big number.”
“It’s special,” Ovechkin said of the milestone. “Obviously, when you came into the league, you want to play as many games as you can. Fifteen hundred, it’s a pretty big number.”
While the 6-foot-3, 238-pound Russian plays it modestly, it’s something that his teammates refuse to take for granted.
“He’s been himself every day since he came into the league... they don’t make them like him anymore, that’s for sure,” Tom Wilson said, adding, “You really can’t put it into words the impact that he’s had and I think will be here forever… I think a guy that as teammates, as friends, as whatever, you’re just always impressed and always in awe of what he’s able to accomplish and leads the way every night for us.”
Through eight games this season, Ovechkin has two goals and five assists, along with 17 hits. His average shot speed is still in the 96th percentile league-wide, and he’s still throwing his weight around as he leads all active players in hits — and ranks third all-time in that department.
All the while, every shift, he’s hungry to score, and more importantly, he’s still having fun day in and day out. As long as that’s the case, he said, he’ll stick around.
“(He) hasn’t changed. He hasn’t had dark days or, ‘Ah, you know, maybe I don’t feel like doing it,’” coach Spencer Carbery said." “He’s as passionate about the game and loves the game as much as he did probably when he broke into the league.”
“They don’t make them like him anymore, that’s for sure,” Wilson quipped.
Ovechkin is also set to join exclusive company on Saturday, becoming just the eighth player all-time to play at least 1,500 games with one team, joining Gordie Howe, Patrick Marleau, Nicklas Lidstrom, Alex Delvecchio, Shane Doan, Ray Bourque and Steve Yzerman.
“Pretty special moment for me and for my family. Lucky enough to be able to play so many games and for one team. It’s pretty cool,” Ovechkin said.