Unexpected Goals

Capitals' Alex Ovechkin Becomes The 60th NHL Player To Record 700 Career Assists

By STEPHEN WHYNO, AP Sports Writer

Alex Ovechkin is the 60th player in NHL history to record 700 career assists, reaching the milestone with his second point Tuesday night in the Washington Capitals' 4-2 victory against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Ovechkin had a secondary assist on Tom Wilson's power-play goal early in the second period, then set up linemate Aliaksei Protas a few minutes later.

"He makes that play happen on that goal," coach Spencer Carbery said. "Great job using his feet, cuts back, finds space. That's a huge play in that moment.

A montage of his assists played on arena video boards at the ensuing timeout, and Ovechkin waved to fans who gave him a standing ovation.

"It's because of lots of shots, lots of rebounds coming from the net, so I'll take it," Ovechkin said.

Second on the career goal-scoring list with 853, Ovechkin has three assists through his first two games of the season. The 39-year-old winger is 42 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's record that long seemed unapproachable.