Alex Ovechkin is on the verge of a significant milestone as he aims for his 900th career goal in the NHL during the match between the Washington Capitals and the New York Islanders. The game is scheduled for Friday, following Ovechkin’s recent performance on October 24, 2023, where he scored a goal and tallied an assist in a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. This brings him within one goal of the coveted mark.
Despite being held scoreless in consecutive games leading up to this encounter, Ovechkin has a storied history against the Islanders. He has amassed 71 points—including 45 goals and 26 assists—in just 74 career games against them. In their last matchup on October 11, he contributed an assist in the Capitals’ 4-2 victory.
Chasing History and Team Dynamics
Ovechkin’s pursuit of his 900th goal coincides with another milestone. He is also aiming for his 127th goal in October, which would break a tie with Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky for the most career goals scored in the month of October in NHL history. The Capitals are looking to bounce back from a 1-0 loss to the Dallas Stars, where they struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities, according to head coach Spencer Carbery.
“I think a lot of what we did out there for the majority of the game, especially in the second and third periods, was good. We controlled play and had most of the looks, but we just didn’t convert on them,” Carbery said.
The Capitals previously showcased their scoring prowess against the Islanders, with Aliaksei Protas leading the charge with two goals and an assist in their earlier encounter. Key players Dylan Strome and Rasmus Sandin, who were sidelined due to injuries, participated in practice on Friday and may return to the lineup. Strome has been recovering from a lower-body injury sustained during a recent game, while Sandin has missed three games due to an upper-body injury.
“It was a good step, and I’ll talk to (head athletic trainer Jason Serbus) to see where they’re at for the weekend,” Carbery added, expressing hope for their return.
Islanders Struggling for Momentum
The New York Islanders are also facing challenges, currently in the midst of their second three-game losing streak this season. They suffered a 6-2 defeat to the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday, where rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer scored his third goal of the season. Schaefer, the top overall pick in the 2025 draft, had previously scored his first career goal against the Capitals.
With Mathew Barzal absent from Thursday’s game due to disciplinary reasons after arriving late to the morning skate, Islanders head coach Patrick Roy emphasized the importance of team culture in making tough decisions. Barzal is expected to return for the game against the Capitals.
“That’s the culture of our team. We made the decision to not play him. He understands it and was really good about it,” Roy stated.
As Ovechkin and the Capitals prepare to face the Islanders, the stakes are high for both teams. Ovechkin’s pursuit of history and the teams’ efforts to regain momentum create an exciting atmosphere for fans and players alike.
