“There was lots of 8s out there,” Alex Ovechkin reacts as ‘The Great Eight’ scores goal number 888 in 3-2 win over Flyers

Alex Ovechkin scored his 888th league goal in the 3-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers and is now 7 goals away from making a new record.

“There was lots of 8s out there,” Alex Ovechkin reacts as ‘The Great Eight’ scores goal number 888 in 3-2 win over Flyers

Alex Ovechkin (Image via Imago)

On Thursday night, Alex Ovechkin got a bit closer to breaking the goal-scoring record of Wayne Gretzky following his goal against the Philadelphia Flyers. “The Great Eight” scored his 888th league goal to help his team come out as 3-2 winners.

For over 20 years, Ovechkin has worn the No.8 on his back. This excellent play throughout his career has earned him the nickname “The Great Eight.” With his goal, he is now 7 away from creating a new goal-scoring record in the NHL.

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Ovechkin opened the scoring in this game with his goal. He would tap home a pass from Aliaksei Protas to slam the puck in the back of the net at the 14:25 minute mark in the first period.

Later in the game, Andrew Mangiapane, who wears No.88 and whom Ovechkin calls “Magic” scored to give his team a 3-0 lead in the second period. Meanwhile, Brandon Duhaime, who doubled the lead for the Capitals, scored his 8th goal of the season.

In the post-match conference after the game, the Capitals captain was asked whether he liked the number 888. He noted Mangipane’s contribution in this game and admitted that he liked the number.

Yeah and Magic score too, So, there was lots of 8s out there.

Alex Ovechkin said as per NHL.com

Alex Ovechkin makes another goal-scoring record with goal number 888 against Flyers

Another day, another record for Alex Ovechkin. The Russian international created another goal-scoring record on Thursday with the opening goal against the Philadelphia Flyers in the 3-2 win.

Alex Ovechkin
Alex Ovechkin (Image via Imago)

That goal was the 35th goal of this season for him. This marked the 15th season where he had scored 35 or more league goals. This is now the most seasons any player has achieved in the league.

Previously he was tied with Mike Gartner for 14 seasons. Meanwhile, “The Great One” Wayne Gretzky had 13 seasons where he scored 35 or more goals.

This feat from Ovechkin also comes during a season when he got injured. Despite suffering an ankle injury and missing a few weeks of action, Ovechkin has not stopped scoring this year. At the age of 39, he is the leading scorer of the team.

Washington Capitals becomes 1st team to clinch playoff berth for 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs

While Alex Ovechkin stole the headlines with his 888th goal in the league, the 3-2 win turned out to be an important one for the Washington Capitals. With this victory, the 2018 Stanley Cup champions become the first team to clinch a playoff berth.

Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals players celebrating Alex Ovechkin’s goal (Image via Bleacher Report)

Ovechkin’s chase for Gretzky’s record has been a massive benefit for the Capitals this season. As the captain leads them from the front, the team has played some smooth-sailing hockey this year.

The triumph on Thursday was the 46th win of the year. Two points from this match saw them reach the 100-point mark, becoming the second team to reach this tally. The Winnipeg Jets are the other team to reach the three-figure point mark following an OT winner against the Edmonton Oilers.

Compared to what happened last year, this is a drastic change for the Capitals. Last season, they clinched a play-off berth after their 82nd and final game of the season. They ended up getting swept in the first round of the Eastern Conference by the New York Rangers.

This year they are the first team to qualify for the playoffs. By doing so they are the first team since 1979-80 to go from being the last team to clinch a playoff berth to being the first team to do so in the next season.

The Capitals will now turn their attention to trying to win the Presidents Trophy and finish the season with the most points. As for their captain, he will try to break the record of Gretzky with 13 games remaining in the regular season.