NEWSLETTER
I know when the schedule came out for the 2022-23 Chicago Blackhawks regular season, there was really only one game that most fans circled before getting online to buy tickets. That was Nov. 20 when Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins came to town for their one game in Chicago this season. It wasn’t about Sid that night, though. It was all about Marian Hossa’s jersey being retired.
But there’s a game coming up this week that hockey fans in general should want to watch, if not attend. Even ESPN knew it was a big night; the game is a national broadcast starting at 8 PM CT on the world-wide leader.
See, there are only two players in the history of the National Hockey League who have scored at least 800 career regular season goals. Wayne Gretzky scored 894 goals in 1,487 games. And Gordie Howe scored 801 goals in 1,767 games.
Entering a game in Winnipeg on Sunday night, Alexander Ovechkin has 796 goals.
A goal or two on Sunday night could set the scene for Ovechkin to potentially make history Tuesday night’s nationally televised game in Chicago. On Tuesday night when the Washington Capitals visit the United Center, will appear in his 1,305th career regular-season game.
Ovechkin already has the NHL record for road goals, passing Wayne Gretzky’s record of 402 earlier this season. Of course, The Great One finished his career with 1,298 points on the road; The Great Eight has 695 career road points (which ranks 14th in NHL history).
Because he’s spent his entire career with the Washington Capitals, we haven’t had many opportunities to watch Ovechkin play in Chicago – or against the Blackhawks, for that matter. Tuesday will be only his 22nd career game against the Blackhawks and his 11th game at the United Center. In his previous 21 games against the Blackhawks, Ovechkin has 11 goals and 11 assists for 22 points. At the United Center? Ovi hasn’t been nearly as special; he’s scored four times with just two assists and is minus-five in 11 games in Chicago during his Hall of Fame career.
If you’re a fan of the game of hockey, there are some players that I consider must see tickets. Connor McDavid is on that short list. For me, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon and Patrice Bergeron are on that list. And Ovechkin is right up near the top.
With the possibility that a once-in-a-generation moment could happen in Chicago, you bet I’ll be at the United Center on Tuesday night.
