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Every week, across several sports, players around the DMV shine in individual performance. Every Monday, I’d like to take a minute to highlight some of those performances, including what I view as the best performance and name that athlete the “DMV Star of the Week.”
This week’s DMV Star of the Week is Capitals winger Alexander Ovechkin.
Ovechkin is not just the face of the Capitals or the NHL, he’s probably the face of DMV Sports. The 18-year veteran earns his first DMV Star of the Week award on the back end of setting yet another record as he continues to rewrite the history books.
In Saturday night’s 3-2 defeat to Arizona, Ovechkin netted his 787th career goal with the Washington Capitals, which breaks the NHL record for most goals scored for a single franchise.
The goal moves Ovechkin past Hockey Hall of Famer Gordie Howe.
“Obviously, it’s a huge moment,” Ovechkin said Saturday night following the game. “The last couple game, it was big milestones and unfortunately, we didn’t get the win, but it’s a special moment and it’s nice have both of my kids, my wife, all the fans.”
Other significant records Ovechkin holds include the most seasons with at least 50 goals (9), which ties him with Wayne Gretzky. Just last season, he also became the oldest player in history to score at least 50 goals in a season while tying Gretzky’s record for 12 seasons scoring at least 40 goals.
The last major record for Ovechkin is the all-time goal record, set by Wayne Gretzky at 894. Obviously, Ovechkin has just over 100 goals to go to reach that mark, but the 37-year old signed a five-year extension last summer worth $47 million that’ll keep him in D.C. until 2026.
At his current pace, he’ll be able to catch Gretzky and become the NHL all-time leading goal scorer before he hangs up his skates for good.
The DMV saw five teams in action this past week, including The Washington Commanders, Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, and Maryland and Howard University football teams.
Here are some honorable mention performances for DMV Star of the Week:
Wizards center Kristaps Porzingis scored 30+ points and grabbed 9 rebounds in both matchups with the 76ers this week
Georgetown Women’s Soccer won the Big East regular season title and Big East Tournament title this week
Georgetown Men’s Soccer won the Big East regular season title this week. Conference tournament play begins this week.
Here’s what’s coming up this week in DMV Sports:
Washington Commanders: (4-5, 4th in NFC East)
11/14 @ Philadelphia (Monday Night Football)
Washington Capitals: (5-6-2, 6th in Metropolitan Division)
11/7 vs. Edmonton
11/9 vs. Pittsburgh
11/11 vs. Tampa Bay
11/13 @ Tampa Bay
Washington Wizards: (4-6, T-9th in Eastern Conference)
11/7 @ Charlotte
11/10 vs. Dallas
11/12 vs. Utah
11/13 vs. Memphis
Howard University Football: (3-6 overall, 2-1 in MEAC, 2nd in MEAC)
11/12 vs. South Carolina State
Maryland Football: (6-3 overall, 3-3 in Big 10, 4th in B10 East)
11/12 @ Penn State
Georgetown Basketball: (0-0 overall, 0-0 in Big East)
11/8 vs. Coppin State
11/12 vs. Green Bay
Maryland Basketball: (0-0 overall, 0-0 in Big 10)
11/7 vs. Niagara
11/10 vs. Western Carolina
Howard Basketball: (0-0 overall, 0-0 in MEAC)
11/7 @ #4 Kentucky
11/9 vs. University of The District of Columbia
11/11 @ George Washington
11/13 vs. Gallaudet
American University Basketball: (0-0 overall, 0-0 in Patriot League)
11/9 @ Marist
11/13 @ George Mason
George Washington Basketball: (0-0 overall, 0-0 in Atlantic 10)
11/7 vs. Virginia State
11/11 vs. Howard