Alex Ovechkin Is Best Russian Hockey Man

Alex Ovechkin now has the most goals scored in the NHL by a Russian-born player. His goal against the Dallas Stars Thursday night gave him 484 goals, surpassing Sergei Fedorov’s 483.

The record-breaking goal was a tap from a nice little pass by Nicklas Backstrom, who had also assisted on Fedorov’s record-setting goal in 2008. On Wednesday, coach Barry Trotz had moved Backstrom to the first line with Ovechkin for the first time this season. The Swedish center was being carefully acclimated due to offseason surgery, but in his second game back on the top line, he aided Ovechkin in making history.

Fedorov needed 1,248 games to get to 483; Ovechkin broke the record in 777 games. The Capitals’ captain is 30 years old and has had consecutive seasons with 51 and 53 goals. Washington’s powerful machine is humming.

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