On Hall of Fame weekend, the hockey world is saving one of the true trailblazers for Russian scorers in the NHL with Sergei Fedorov’s induction.
Quite a weekend for Alex Ovechkin to join his name in the record books.
Ovechkin scored the 483rd goal of his NHL career on Saturday, tying Fedorov for the most goals ever scored by a Russian-born player. Let’s just say he has a lot of time to pass Fedorov (who was briefly his teammate), as Ovechkin is barely 30.
.@washcaps captain @ovi8 scored his 483rd NHL goal to tie Sergei Fedorov for most goals by a Russian-born player in NHL history. #TORvsWSH
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 8, 2015
.@ovi8 notched his 483rd goal in his 772nd career game, 476 fewer games than Fedorov played in his entire NHL career (1,248 GP). #TORvsWSH
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 8, 2015
Here’s video of that milestone moment:
Wondering about other home country-specific records that Ovechkin has in his sights? Chew on this.
.@ovi8 (483-427—910) ranks 4th in PTS among Russian-born players. Fedorov, who will be inducted into HHOF Monday, tops list w/ 483-696—1,179
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 8, 2015
Update: Quite a finish in Washington. It looked like Ovechkin broke Fedorov’s record with another goal, but it was nullified after a review.
Here’s the league explanation via its Situation Room Blog.
At 17:21 of the third period in the Toronto Maple Leafs/Washington Capitals game, Toronto requested a Coach’s Challenge to review whether Capitals forward Justin Williams interfered with Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer before the puck crossed the goal line.
The Referee determined that Williams interfered with Reimer before the puck entered the net. According to Rule 78.7, “The standard for overturning the call in the event of a ‘GOAL’ call on the ice is that the Referee, after reviewing any and all available replays and consulting with the Toronto Video Room, determines that the goal should have been disallowed due to ‘Interference on the Goalkeeper,’ as described in Rules 69.1, 69.3 and 69.4.”
Therefore the original call is overturned – no goal Washington Capitals.
Ovechkin on having his historic goal overturned: 'Obviously, it sucks. You think like, OK, you’re number one. But you’re not' #CapitalsTalk
— Chuck Gormley (@CharlesAGormley) November 8, 2015