Ovechkin honored by Capitals for becoming third all-time leading scorer

Alex Ovechkin keeps collecting accolades at age 36.

Ovechkin scored his 767th career goal to pass Jaromir Jagr for sole posession of third place on the NHL's all-time list against the New York Islanders at Capital One Arena on March 15. To honor his new place in hockey history, the Washington Capitals put together a video tribute before the game against the New York Islanders at Capital One Arena on Tuesday.

"It's a pretty cool moment for me, for the organization, for the fans, for my family," Ovechkin told
NBC Sports
.
In the 2021-22 season alone, Ovechkin moved four spots on the all-time goals list, passing Jagr, Brett Hull and Marcel Dionne. To commemorate his accomplishment, the Capitals gifted Ovechkin a custom painting of him standing in front of those players.

By doing so, Ovechkin also became the all-time leading European goal scorer.
"Without my teammates, without my linemates, the support I have, I would never have reached this point," Ovechkin said.
In his 17th season with the Capitals, Ovechkin set the NHL all-time points-per-game record, notched his ninth career 50-goal season -- becoming the oldest player to score 50 goals in a season -- and played in his 12th NHL All-Star Game.
The forward did not play against the Islanders because of an upper-body injury. His status for the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is uncertain. When Ovechkin does return to the lineup, he'll continue chasing history.