Capitals to Honor Ovechkin with Pre-game Ceremony Prior to Friday's Game

The Washington Capitals will hold a pre-game ceremony on Friday, March 16, against the New York Islanders to honor captain Alex Ovechkin for recording his 600th NHL goal. During the ceremony, Ovechkin will receive a special gift from the organization. Capitals owner Ted Leonsis and president Dick Patrick will join Ovechkin's wife Nastya Ovechkina, on the ice to honor Ovechkin.

Ovechkin became the fourth-fastest player in NHL history to score 600 goals on Monday, scoring his 600th NHL/Capitals goal in the second period against the Winnipeg Jets at Capital One Arena. Ovechkin scored his 600th career goal in his 990th NHL game, trailing only Wayne Gretzky (718 games), Mario Lemieux (719) and Brett Hull (900) as the fastest to reach the 600-goal plateau.
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Ovechkin, 32, was selected by the Capitals in the first round, first overall, in the 2004 NHL Draft. The Moscow native has registered 1,109 points (600 goals, 509 assists) in 990 career games with Washington and became the first player in franchise history to reach 1,100 career points on Feb. 15, 2018 at Minnesota. In addition, Ovechkin became the NHL's leader in overtime goals on Oct. 20, 2017 at Detroit. Ovechkin ranks first in franchise history in goals (600), points (1,109), power-play goals (224), game-winning goals (100), overtime goals (22), shots (4,836) and multi-goal games (119). The 6'3", 235-pound left wing is a three-time winner of the Hart Trophy and a six-time winner of the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy. Ovechkin leads the NHL in goals (42) this season and is looking to become the third player in NHL history to record eight 50-goal seasons, joining Gretzky (9) and Mike Bossy (9).

Since entering the NHL at the beginning of the 2005-06 season, Ovechkin leads the NHL in goals (600), points (1,109), power-play goals (224), power-play points (430) and game-winning goals (100). In addition, Ovechkin leads the NHL in goals since 1998-99 despite beginning his NHL career in 2005. He is the only player in the NHL to score 30 or more goals in each season since 2005-06 and his average of 0.61 goals per game is fifth in NHL history (minimum: 300 games played), trailing only Bossy (0.76), Cy Denneny (0.75), Lemieux (0.75) and Pavel Bure (0.62).