John McCreary/NHLI via Getty Images
As if the Washington Capitals’ 3-2 come-from-behind overtime victory against the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday night at Capital One Arena wasn’t already a morale boost to the locker room, the game-winning goal by captain Alex Ovechkin carried with it yet more significance as the curtain was closed on the Broad Street Bullies.
Ovechkin scored his 10th goal of the season to secure the sudden-death victory for Washington, a much-needed tally for both player (who had scored just once in six games entering the night) and club, who had dropped nine of their past 11 contests.
7️⃣9️⃣0️⃣ for The Great 8!
Alex Ovechkin nets the @SUBWAYCanada OT winner for the Capitals. pic.twitter.com/DHz65W87YB
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 24, 2022
While the goal put Ovechkin 10 goals shy of the eight century mark in his career, by allowing the lamp to be lit behind him, Philly netminder Felix Sandstrom became the 164th different goalie to give up a goal to The Great Eight, a number that ranks the Caps’ captain tied for third-most in league history along with Mar Messier, and behind former Capital Jaromir Jagr, and Patrick Marleau.
Ovechkin’s 164 goaltenders scored on is tied with Mark Messier for the third most in NHL history and trails only Jaromir Jagr (178) and Patrick Marleau (177).
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) November 24, 2022
Additionally, Ovechkin notched his first career (regular and postseason) overtime tally against Philadelphia, the 14th club upon which he has dropped the overtime hammer on his 17 seasons; he trails only Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand (16) and Jagr (15) in that regard.
DYK? Alex Ovechkin has never scored an overtime goal against the Flyers (regular season or playoffs). . . until now. 🚨#NHLStats: https://t.co/JlYzpSW8wB pic.twitter.com/BrEkSw2v7m
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 24, 2022