Ovechkin Eyes Historic Hat Trick Against Blackhawks

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The spotlight shines brightly on the Washington Capitals as they prepare to face the Chicago Blackhawks Friday night at 7:00 p.m. at Capital One Arena. Captain Alex Ovechkin is just three goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL goals record, and fans are eager to witness history.

The Capitals enter the game with a record of 48-18-9, while Chicago struggles at 21-44-10. After a three-game goal streak, Ovechkin has scored 892 career goals, bringing him tantalizingly close to Gretzky’s total of 894.

“It’s going to be pretty crazy,” said Capitals defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk. “Ovi feels like he’s still scoring every night. It’s huge for us.” Van Riemsdyk noted the excitement surrounding a potential record-breaking performance at home.

Ovechkin’s journey to this milestone has been marked by resilience. A fractured leg sustained in November sidelined him for 16 games—the longest absence in his career. Upon his return, he quickly silenced skeptics with four goals in his first five games back.

In the last year, Ovechkin has maintained an impressive pace, scoring 44 goals in 67 games and consistently making an impact. His latest tally came during a power play against the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday, where he scored the Capitals’ only goal in a 5-1 loss.

“I think it’ll mean more as I reflect on it later,” said Caps center Nic Dowd, expressing his admiration for Ovechkin as he sits alongside him in the locker room. “He’s the greatest goal scorer of all time, and I’ve been fortunate to be involved with him.”

Ryan Leonard, who recently made his NHL debut, is also focused on tonight’s game. With a whirlwind week that included signing with the Capitals and facing the Bruins in his first game, Leonard is eager to make an impression on home ice.

<p“It's huge if you have a room that's welcoming,” Wilson said. “He’s going to give it his all, and everyone in the room will be there to support him.”

As Chicago visits, both teams look back on their previous matchup—an upset victory for the Blackhawks in December that marked Washington’s only regulation loss when holding a two-goal lead this season.

During their rebuild, the Blackhawks have struggled, posting a record of 1-9-2 over their last dozen games. They are often outscored significantly, compounded by an average of four goals against per game over the past stretch.

As the Capitals prepare to take the ice, anticipation builds for what could be a defining moment in Ovechkin’s career. “He’s still getting it done at 39,” Eller remarked, acknowledging Ovechkin’s continuing influence in the locker room and on the ice.

In terms of lineup changes, the Capitals recalled goaltender Hunter Shepard from AHL Hershey, filling in for Logan Thompson following his injury on Wednesday. Charlie Lindgren, who previously played against the Bruins, will start against Chicago, aiming for his 18th win of the season.

Tonight’s game holds the potential for more than just two points—it could witness a historic moment in hockey history. As fans fill Capital One Arena, Ovechkin’s quest for his 895th goal stands just three away from a legendary milestone.