Ovechkin Scores His 858Th Goal and Has 2 Assists as the Capitals Beat the Canadiens 6-3

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) skates with the puck against Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jayden Struble (47) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Washington, on Oct. 31, 2024. Nick Wass/AP Photo

WASHINGTON—Alex Ovechkin scored his 858th career goal and had two assists, and the Washington Capitals beat the Montreal Canadiens 6-3 on Thursday night to continue their strong start.

Ovechkin is now 37 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record. After making Cayden Primeau the 176th different goaltender he has scored on, Ovechkin is on pace for 45 this season, which would put him at 895 and perhaps beyond this spring.