Capitals’ Ovechkin becomes all-time Russian-born goal scoring leader
Washington Capitals’ forward Alex Ovechkin broke Sergei Fedorov’s record for most career goals by a Russian-born player with his 484th score on Thursday night when the Capitals played the Dallas Stars at the Verizon Center.
The goal came in the third period against Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen. Ovechkin was able to set the record in 777 games compared to the 1,248 games it took Fedorov.
The tally also moved Ovechkin into a tie with Darryl Sittler for 47th on the NHL's career goal-scoring list.
Ovechkin tied Fedorov’s record in Toronto on Nov. 7 and almost broke it twice, only to be taken away by a pair of coach’s challenges.
The left wing said it would be a special moment when he passes Fedorov, a former teammate he refers to as his childhood idol.
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Fedorov, inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Nov. 9, played with Ovechkin in Washington from 2008 to 2009. He began his NHL career with the Red Wings at 21 years old in 1990 and played 13 seasons with the team.
- Beth Maiman