WASHINGTON (AP) — Coaching Alex Ovechkin for three seasons has normalized his hot pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's NHL career goals record for Peter Laviolette.
“Not a crazy thing at all," Laviolette said before his New York Rangers faced Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on Saturday. “I don’t see him slowing down.”
Nope, not slowing down.
Ovechkin scored the fifth goal in a 7-4 win to get No. 872 and move 23 back of breaking Gretzky's record of 894 that long seemed unapproachable. He has four in five games since returning from missing the previous 16 with a broken leg.
“It’s incredible,” teammate Connor McMichael said. “Ever since I was a kid, I grew up watching him do all these amazing things, and now to have a front-row seat to him doing something really special has been awesome. He’s been helping our team win night in and night out, so I can’t say enough good things about him.”
Ovechkin is one away from reaching 20 goals in all 20 of his seasons in the league. The broken left fibula paused the Gretzky chase, but the 39-year-old has returned with a vengeance.
“To be honest with you, I feel every game better — touches, skating wise," Ovechkin said. “I’ll take it.”
Center Dylan Strome, who has assisted on 14 of Ovechkin's 19 goals, said, “It just feels like he gets on these runs.” Because of these runs, Ovechkin remains on pace to pass Gretzky this spring.
“Obviously, he’s an all-time great,” Capitals winger Andrew Mangiapane said. “Just seeing his every day kind of lifestyle and seeing him on the ice and every time he scores, it’s a great kind of feeling and I think it pumps up everyone on our bench.”
Laviolette, who coached Washington from 2021-23, praised Ovechkin's shot as being the best in the world but pointed more to his work ethic than anything else to explain how the scoring has continued.
“He’s a guy that just doesn’t stop,” Laviolette said. “He wants to get better. He’s going to play hurt. He’s going to play injured. He’s going to get out there (and) he’s going to try and make a difference for his team.”
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) competes for the puck with New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, left, scores a goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, center, celebrates his goal with his teammates during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
Washington Capitals center Dylan Strome (17) celebrates with left wing Alex Ovechkin after scoring a goal in the third period goal of an NHL hockey game against the New York Rangers, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)
BOSTON (AP) — Jayson Tatum had 35 points and seven rebounds and the Boston Celtics powered past the Philadelphia 76ers 123-105 on Thursday night.
It was Tatum’s 24th game this season with at least 30 points even though he sat out the entire fourth quarter as Boston won for the ninth time in its last 11 games.
Payton Pritchard added 19 points and Derrick White finished with 12 points after having one of his teeth knocked out in the first half when he took an inadvertent elbow. But he returned to start the third quarter.
Kelly Oubre Jr. led the 76ers with 27 points and Lonnie Walker IV added 17.
Both teams were short-handed.
The Celtics played without Jaylen Brown (knee), Jrue Holiday (finger), Al Horford (toe), Kristaps Porzingis (illness) and Sam Hauser (ankle).
The 76ers were missing Joel Embiid (knee), Paul George (left groin), Eric Gordon (wrist), Kyle Lowry (hip), Tyrese Maxey (back) and Jared McCain (knee).
76ers: Oubre tried to carry the scoring load on a night when he was surrounded by reserves. But he didn’t get nearly enough help.
Celtics: As Boston gets over some recent ailments, young players continue to have some promising moments. Neemias Queta was scolded by coach Joe Mazzulla after a first-half stint, but was mostly solid down the stretch, finishing with eight points, nine rebounds and and four assists.
The Celtics led 97-79 heading into the fourth quarter. They then opened the final period on a 10-0 run that included six straight points – and back-to-back dunks – by Queta as Boston’s lead grew to 30.
In the third quarter Tatum was whistled for his 10th technical foul of the season. That leaves him six away from a one-game suspension.
The 76ers host Utah on Sunday night. The Celtics host the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (9) argues a call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics forward Torrey Craig (12) looks to pass while pressured by Philadelphia 76ers guard Quentin Grimes (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket against the ePhiladelphia 76ers during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla calls to his players during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics center Luke Kornet (40) battles for a rebound against Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics guard Derrick White, right, is pressured by Philadelphia 76ers guard Kelly Oubre Jr. on a shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) celebrates after a 3-pointer against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives to the basket on a dunk against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 6, 2025, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
