As of Tuesday, no Russian-born NHL player in history has more career points than Alex Ovechkin.
The Washington Capitals’ star passed a former Capital, Sergei Fedorov, for the title of highest-scoring Russian with a secondary assist in the first period of Tuesday’s 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks.
Ovechkin received a pass and skated behind Vancouver’s net to set up Nicklas Backstrom with an open shot. Backstrom’s attempt was stopped, but T.J. Oshie followed up to score on the rebound, crediting Ovechkin and Backstrom with assists.
Oshie puts the boys up 1-0, and Ovi passes Fedorov for most points by a Russian-born player, NBD. #CapsNucks pic.twitter.com/F3QK3tmSb6
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) February 6, 2019
It was Ovechkin’s 1,180th point (644 goals plus 536 assists), passing Fedorov’s 1,179.
Ovechkin said he talked to Fedorov and told him it was “a huge honor” to approach and ultimately break his record.
“It was hard work, lots of hockey and I think I’m proud for my family, for my dad spending time all the time with me,” Ovechkin said. “It’s history and I passed all those legends. You know, it’s pretty big and I appreciate everybody who do all work with me, my teammates … When you start playing hockey and you came to the NHL, you just have a dream to score one goal or two and now I’m No. 1 on the all-time Russian list. It’s pretty amazing.”
Ovechkin is 49th all-time in that category, and it’s one stat where he’ll never catch Wayne Gretzky, who finished his career with an untouchable 2,857 points.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.