Alex Ovechkin continues chase as Caps host Wings

Alex Ovechkin is closing in on the NHL’s all-time goal record. Before that, he will reach another milestone in his storied career, and it could come as soon as the Washington Capitals’ Friday home game against the Detroit Red Wings.The 39-year-old forward needs one point to hit 1,600 for his career. Ovechkin scored his 885th goal on Wednesday during Washington’s 3-2 road victory over the New York Rangers. He is now nine goals shy of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record.”Just try to do my best and try to do my job,” Ovechkin said.His teammates draw energy from Ovechkin’s individual achievements.”I think our bench, everyone kind of jumps through the roof whenever he finds the back of the net, which is fitting because he’s always the most excited guy on the ice when anybody else scores,” forward Tom Wilson said. “Whenever he scores, obviously everybody in the hockey world is pretty excited right now. Happy for him and proud how he’s carrying himself and doing such a great job.”Ovechkin’s latest goal came on a power play midway through the third period and tied the game at 2-2. That gave him 32 goals in 46 games this season.”He seems to score every time on a big stage in a big moment,” Washington defenseman John Carlson said.Wilson scored the overtime winner as the Capitals continued to separate themselves from the Eastern Conference pack. Seven points clear of the field, they are well on their way to the top seed in the conference playoffs despite a three-game losing streak last week that preceded a shootout win over the Ottawa Senators and the OT victory against the Rangers.Ovechkin scored in the first meeting between the Capitals and Red Wings this season on Dec. 29, but Detroit came away with a 4-2 home win. Alex DeBrincat led the way with two goals.

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