SAN JOSE, Calif. — Alex Ovechkin shook off a rough start to the Washington Capitals’ three-game California swing by scoring his 887th career goal Saturday against the San Jose Sharks, moving within eight of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record.
Ovechkin had failed to score a goal in the first two games of the trip, a 7-4 win against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday and a 3-0 loss to Los Angeles Kings on Thursday, with the 39-year-old left wing not even getting a shot on goal in the latter matchup.
The Russian star came up empty on his first three shots Saturday and couldn’t generate any prime chances on three power plays before scoring late against the Sharks in a 5-1 victory.
“Hopefully that helps him,” Capitals coach Spencer Carbery said. “You could feel he was gripping it a little bit. Power play, he’s been struggling. He hasn’t been getting as many quality looks with his line. … For him to get that goal, hopefully that’s a good boost for him and grabs him some momentum heading back home and feeling good about his game going into our home games this week.”
Ovechkin deflected a shot from Martin Fehervary past Georgi Romanov with 9:06 remaining in the third period. The goal led to loud cheers from the sellout crowd that featured many fans who came hoping to see Ovechkin score with chants of “Ovie! Ovie!” filling the building.