ovechkin inches Closer to Historic 900-Goal Milestone
WASHINGTON – Alex Ovechkin is three goals away from becoming the first player in NHL history to reach 900 career goals, a landmark within reach as the Washington Capitals face the Tampa Bay Lightning Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET (MNMT, ESPN). Ovechkin, who surpassed Wayne Gretzky’s previous record of 894 goals last season, has 33 career hat tricks, including a four-goal performance against the Lightning on December 10, 2013, in a 6-5 shootout victory.
Kucherov Pursues 1,000 Career points
In Tampa Bay, Ovechkin’s opponent, Nikita kucherov is on the cusp of another milestone, needing just four points to reach 1,000 career points. Should he achieve this, Kucherov (in 806 games) would become the fourth fastest player born outside of North America to reach the plateau, trailing only Peter Stastny (682 games), Jari Kurri (716 games), and Jaromir Jagr (763 games). Since joining the NHL in 2013-14,Kucherov has recorded 33 games with four or more points,second only to Connor McDavid’s 41.
kaprizov Continues Hot Start
Kirill Kaprizov of the Minnesota Wild is off to a blazing start, with seven points (three goals, four assists) in his first three games. He aims to extend his point streak to at least four games to open a season for the third consecutive year when the Wild visit the dallas Stars at 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Only daniel Sedin (five games,2010-11 to 2014-15),Brad Richards (four games,2009-10 to 2012-13),Daniel Alfredsson (four games,2001-02 to 2005-06),and Jaromir Jagr (four games,1997-98 to 2000-01) have accomplished this feat in the last 30 years.
Harley’s Early Offensive Impact & Stars’ Scoring Surge
Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley has four points (one goal, three assists) in two games and could become the fourth defenseman in Minnesota/Dallas North Stars franchise history to record more than one point in each of the first three games of a season, following Richards (four in 2010-11), Dino Ciccarelli (three in 1986-87), and Tim Young (three in 1976-77). The Stars are also attempting to score five goals in each of their first three games for the first time in franchise history, and have earned at least one point in their last 14 matchups against the Wild (9-0-5).
Misa to Debut for Sharks
Michael Misa, the second overall pick in the 2025 draft, will make his NHL debut with the San Jose Sharks against the Carolina Hurricanes at 10 p.m. ET (FDSNSO, NBCSCA). The 18-year-old centre led the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) last season with 134 points (62 goals, 72 assists) in 65 games with Saginaw in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He joins teammates Macklin celebrini, the first overall pick in 2024, and Will Smith, the fourth pick in 2023.
