- Alex Ovechkin is one assist shy of tying Nicklas Bäckström for the Capitals’ franchise lead
- He set up Ilya Protas on a saucer pass in a 4-2 win over the Devils
- Read below for the numbers and what comes next
Alex Ovechkin is one assist away from owning the Capitals’ franchise assists record.
Ovechkin picked up his 761st career assist Saturday in Washington’s 4-2 win over the Devils, leaving him one behind Nicklas Bäckström’s franchise-best 762. Bäckström got his in 1,105 games. Ovechkin has played 1,581.
The assist came 1:16 into the second period. Ovechkin hit Ilya Protas with a saucer pass on the rush, and Protas sent a wrist shot into the top far corner past Jake Allen to make it 2-1. Vincent Desharnais picked up the other helper.
Protas talked after the game about what he saw before the pass came.
“As soon as I kind of saw him looking at me, I’m like, ‘Yeah, he’s going to try to make the play,’” Protas said. “And it was a great pass, right to my tape, and luckily I scored.”
TSN flagged the milestone right after the goal:
Ovechkin already owns the franchise marks for goals (930), games played (1,581) and power-play goals (331). The assists record is the one big offensive category he doesn’t hold yet.
He has one goal and three assists through eight games this season, which he has said is his last in the NHL. He also had a moment against Montreal on Wednesday, when Ovi tried to take credit for a Justin Holl goal.
Washington was outshot 17-5 in the third period but held on behind 29 saves from Logan Thompson. The Capitals host the Kings on Tuesday, so the tying assist could come at Capital One Arena in front of the home crowd.
