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Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals - In Play! magazine
The Gr8 Chase reached single digits and made a milestone pitstop as Alex Ovechkin became the 11th player in NHL history with 1,600 career points. File photo: Tim Jarrold - In Play! magazine
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Mar

NHL RECAP MARCH 9, 2025 – The Gr8 Chase at single digits as Ovechkin reaches 1,600-point milestone

Alex Ovechkin scored his NHL-record 65th career empty-netter to reach the 1,600-point milestone and now needs just nine goals to pass Wayne Gretzky (894) for the most in League history. Ovechkin, who became the 11th player in NHL history with 1,600 career points and seventh to hit the mark with one franchise, helped the Capitals (42-14-8, 92 points) leapfrog the Jets (44-17-4, 92 points) for first place in the League standings.

  • Ovechkin owns a goals-per-game rate of 0.69 this season, which puts him on pace to pass Gretzky and complete The Gr8 Chase against the Hurricanes at Capital One Arena on April 10 (7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+, Hulu, Disney+). Ovechkin’s career average of 0.60 has him tracking to break the record versus the Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on April 12 (12:30 p.m. ET).

FANTILLI, WERENSKI LEAD BLUE JACKETS TO VICTORY IN BACK-AND-FORTH AFFAIR
A back-and-forth six-goal second period saw Adam Fantilli (3-0—3) score twice in 26 seconds before the Rangers responded with a pair of shorthanded tallies of their own in just 42 seconds, though the Blue Jackets forward had the final say as he capped off his second hat trick of the season in the final frame to lift his club to a crucial victory. The regulation win helped Columbus (31-24-8, 70 points) leapfrog idle Ottawa (32-25-5, 69 points) for the first Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference and open up a two-point cushion on New York (31-27-6, 68 points) – the first team outside the playoff picture.

  • Fantilli’s first two tallies marked the second-fastest two goals by one player in franchise history (0:26), behind Kirill Marchenko (0:18 on Dec. 19, 2023), while his third goal of the night made him the fifth player in Blue Jackets history to record two hat tricks in a season and first since Cam Atkinson (2 in 2018-19).
  • Zach Werenski (0-2—2) established a pair of franchise records with his first helper of the game – his 259th career assist moved him past Rick Nash for the most in Blue Jackets history, while his 47th helper of the season bested his own franchise mark for most in a campaign by a defenseman (46 in 2023-24).
  • Werenski became the third active defenseman to lead a franchise in all-time assists (among franchises w/ min. 5 seasons). The others: Roman Josi (534 w/ NSH) and Shea Theodore (264 w/ VGK).

Fleury faces former team for final time in storied 21-season career

Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin combined for three tallies against their longtime teammate as Marc-Andre Fleury faced the Penguins for the final time in his career.

  • Crosby became the 16th player in NHL history with 17 career 20-goal seasons – the only skaters with more are Gordie Howe (22), Alex Ovechkin (20), Ron Francis (20), Jaromir Jagr (19), Brendan Shanahan (19) and Dave Andreychuk (19). Crosby needs 12 points to guarantee his 20th career point-per-game season, which would move him past Wayne Gretzky (19) for the most in League history.
  • Fleury, who made his 1,015th career start and passed Roberto Luongo (1,014 GS) for second place on the League’s all-time list, was chosen by Pittsburgh with the No. 1 pick in the 2003 NHL Draft. He played each of his first 13 seasons with the franchise, highlighted by winning the Stanley Cup in 2009, 2016 and 2017.

KINGS CONQUER GOLDEN KNIGHTS IN TIGHTLY CONTESTED CLASH IN THE WEST

Captain Anze Kopitar (1-1—2) was one of seven Kings skaters with multiple points as his club foiled a Golden Knights three-goal comeback attempt that featured Tomas Hertl (3-0—3) and Jack Eichel (0-2—2) all over the score sheet in the third period. Los Angeles (33-20-9, 75 points), which moved within three points of Edmonton (37-22-4, 78 points) for second in the Pacific Division while holding a game in hand, recorded its NHL-leading ninth all-time win in Vegas – two more than the next closest (COL: 7).

  • Kopitar, who owns the most career points against the Golden Knights among all skaters, boosted his 2024-25 totals to 16-35—51 (62 GP) and became the third player in NHL history born and trained outside of North America with 18 career 50-point seasons. The others: Jaromir Jagr (20) and Alex Ovechkin (18).
  • Quinton Byfield found the back of the net for the third straight game and helped the club build a 3-0 lead within the first 22 minutes of play. He became the first Kings player, age 22 or younger, to score in three straight games since Matt Luff had a four-game goal streak for the club in 2018-19.
  • Hertl, whose seventh career hat trick tied Radim Vrbata and Petr Nedved for the fifth most by a Czech-born player in NHL history, netted his 12th power-play goal of the season as part of the performance and established a franchise record for most in one campaign.
  • Eichel already owns the single-season franchise records for assists as well as multi-point games, and inched closer to a third benchmark after he boosted his 2024-25 totals to 20-57—77. He passed Jonathan Marchessault (27-48—75 in 2017-18) for the second-most points in one campaign by a Golden Knights skater and now sits two points shy of breaking the record set by William Karlsson during the franchise’s inaugural season.

Prime Monday Night Hockey has pivotal game between Red Wings, Senators

Today’s four-game slate is highlighted by a crucial contest in the Eastern Conference’s Wild Card race when Dylan Larkin and the Red Wings (30-27-6, 66 points) visit Brady Tkachuk and the Senators (32-25-5, 69 points) during the latest edition of Prime Monday Night Hockey on Prime Video Canada. Ottawa occupies the second Wild Card spot while Detroit sits three points outside of the playoff picture as each team hopes to halt a lengthy postseason drought.

  • Tkachuk tallied the overtime winner Saturday and can become the seventh player in franchise history with at least one goal in six consecutive games, following Connor Brown (8 GP from March 25 to April 12, 2021), Jason Spezza (8 GP from Dec. 12, 2009 to Feb. 4, 2010), Drake Batherson (6 GP from Feb. 18 to March 1, 2021), Dany Heatley (6 GP from Feb. 20 to March 2, 2007), Daniel Alfredsson (6 GP from Jan. 7-18, 2007) and Bob Kudelski (6 GP from Oct. 21-30, 1993). Tkachuk faces Larkin for the first time since they represented USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off and for the penultimate time this season, with the Senators and Red Wings set to meet once more on March 27.
  • Tim Stützle assisted on Tkachuk’s overtime winner and can become the second player in franchise history with a 15-game point streak, following Heatley (22 GP from Oct. 5 to Nov. 29, 2005 & 16 GP from Feb. 8 to March 15, 2007). Moritz Seider scored his 27th career goal Friday and needs one to tie Nicklas Lidstrom (28) for the fifth most by a Detroit defenseman age 23 or younger behind Reed Larson (59), Willie Huber (49), Red Kelly (43) and Steve Chiasson (32). Stützle and Seider look to lead the Senators and Red Wings to their first playoff berth since both players were chosen from Adler Mannheim in the NHL Draft.
  • More highlights include Leon Draisaitl also looking to extend his point streak to 15 games when the Oilers (37-22-4, 78 points) take on Tage Thompson and the Sabres (24-32-6, 54 points); Nathan MacKinnon needing one point to reach 1,000 in his career when the Avalanche (38-24-2, 78 points) clash with Connor Bedard and the Blackhawks (20-35-9, 49 points); as well as Clayton Keller and Utah Hockey Club (28-25-10, 66 points) looking to gain ground in the Western Conference’s Wild Card race when Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs (38-22-3, 79 points) make their first visit to Delta Center.

WEEK AHEAD FEATURES MORE NATIONAL GAMES, NHL COAST TO COAST

Other national broadcasts to look forward to during the week ahead:

Tuesday, March 11 – New-look Panthers pitted against Bruins on Sportsnet, TVA Sports

  • Aleksander Barkov and the Panthers can extend their winning streak to seven games when they play David Pastrnak and the Bruins on Sportsnet and TVA Sports. The reigning Stanley Cup champions made several moves ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline last Friday including a blockbuster deal to acquire former Boston captain Brad Marchand, who is week-to-week with an upper-body injury.

Wednesday, March 12 – NHL on TNT doubleheader and Canucks-Flames on Sportsnet

  • Dylan Larkin and the Red Wings continue their quest to clinch the franchise’s first playoff berth since 2016 when they take on Tage Thompson and the Sabres during the first half of an NHL on TNT two-pack, which closes with Leo Carlsson and the Ducks dueling Clayton Keller and Utah Hockey Club. The games bookend Brock Boeser and the Canucks jousting Jonathan Huberdeau and the Flames on Sportsnet.

Thursday, March 13 – NHL Coast to Coast has The Gr8 Chase continuing in Los Angeles

  • NHL Coast to Coast, the live whip-around studio show available to viewers on Prime Video Canada starting at 7 p.m. ET, returns during a nine-game slate highlighted by Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals clashing with Anze Kopitar and the Kings. The contest is 10 days before the 31-year anniversary of when Wayne Gretzky got his 802nd career goal to pass Gordie Howe for the NHL record on March 23, 1994, which took place 10 miles from Crypto.com Arena at the Great Western Forum.

Friday, March 14 – Jets square off with Stars on NHL Network

  • Kyle Connor and the Jets joust Wyatt Johnston and the Stars on NHL Network in a battle between the Central Division’s top two teams. Winnipeg could be closing in on the 100-point mark when it duels Dallas, which recently signed Johnston to a five-year contract.

Saturday, March 15 – ABC Hockey Saturday followed by Hockey Night in Canada

  • Nico Hischier and the Devils are pitted against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins during an ABC Hockey Saturday matinee, which precedes another star-studded Hockey Night in Canada highlighted by this season’s final “Battle of Ontario” game as well as Connor Bedard returning to his hometown. Toronto and Ottawa have been on pace to meet in the First Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs several times this season, with the most-recent instance being through games played Feb. 5.

Sunday, March 16 – Another NHL on TNT two-pack has Rantanen facing Avalanche

  • Mikko Rantanen faces his former team for the first time when the Stars square off with Nathan MacKinnon and the Avalanche to cap an NHL on TNT afternoon doubleheader, which opens with Jack Eichel and the Golden Knights dueling Alex DeBrincat and the Detroit Red Wings.

MacKinnon, Stamkos and Wilson Named NHL ‘Three Stars’ of the Week

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon, Nashville Predators center Steven Stamkos and Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending March 9.

FIRST STAR – NATHAN MacKINNON, C, COLORADO AVALANCHE

MacKinnon topped the NHL with 4-5—9, posting multiple points in each of his three appearances to lift the Avalanche (38-24-2, 78 points) into third place in the Central Division on the strength of a five-game winning streak dating to Feb. 26. He collected a pair of assists in a 4-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins March 4. MacKinnon then notched his 10th career five-point performance – and third of the season (also Nov. 5 vs. SEA: 0-5—5 and Dec. 10 at PIT: 1-4—5) – with 2-3—5 in a 7-3 triumph versus the San Jose Sharks March 6. He finished the week with two goals, including his 69th career game-winner, in a 7-4 victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs March 8 to reach the 100-point milestone for the third straight campaign. The 29-year-old reigning Hart Memorial Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award winner, who is one point shy of 1,000 for his career (362-637—999 in 855 GP), paces the NHL with 27-73—100 through 64 total contests in 2024-25. He also sits among this season’s League leaders in assists (1st; 73), even-strength assists (1st; 48), even-strength points (1st; 67), power-play assists (2nd; 25), power-play points (2nd; 33) and shots on goal (2nd; 260).

SECOND STAR – STEVEN STAMKOS, C, NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Stamkos placed second in the NHL with 4-4—8, also producing multiple points in each of his three outings as the Predators (24-32-7, 55 points) recorded a perfect week. He tallied 1-2—3, his second three-point effort of the season (also Jan. 14 vs. VGK: 2-1—3), in a 6-3 win versus the Boston Bruins March 4. Stamkos then posted a pair of assists, including the 600th of his career, in a 5-3 victory over the Seattle Kraken March 6. He closed the week with his 14th career hat trick, capped by his 14th career overtime goal (and 91st career game-winner), in a 3-2 triumph versus the Chicago Blackhawks March 8. The 35-year-old Stamkos – a two-time Stanley Cup (2019-20 and 2020-21) and Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy (2009-10 and 2011-12) winner – has played in 63 total contests this season (21-20—41), ranking among Nashville’s top performers in game-winning goals (1st; 6), power-play goals (1st; 10), goals (2nd; 21), points (3rd; 41), power-play points (4th; 15) and assists (5th; 20).

THIRD STAR – TOM WILSON, RW, WASHINGTON CAPITALS

Wilson compiled 3-4—7 to help the Capitals (42-14-8, 92 points) win all four of their games and reclaim first place in the overall League standings. He registered 1-1—2 in each of his first three outings: a 5-4 shootout win against the Ottawa Senators March 3, a 3-2 triumph versus the New York Rangers March 5 (featuring his fifth career overtime and 26th career game-winning goal) and a 5-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings March 7. Wilson then added one assist in a 4-2 comeback win against the Seattle Kraken March 9. The 30-year-old Wilson sits fourth on Washington with 29-23—52 through 63 total appearances this season, already a career high for goals (five ahead of the 24 he scored in 2021-22) and tied for a career high in points (equaling 2021-22: 24-28—52 in 78 GP).

As the presenting partner of the NHL’s “Three Stars” of the week, GEICO also is bringing you the NHL’s “Fourth Star” – a season-long fan appreciation program. Click here to meet February’s “Fourth Star.”

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Guest Writer