Twenty years ago, everything changed for the Washington Capitals.
With the first overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft, Washington was going to get that name that would change the franchise forever: Alex Ovechkin, the team's best homegrown player, brought to you by Upper Deck.
The 6-foot-3, 238-pound left wing out of Dynamo Moscow was a force to be reckoned with. He could score goals like no other with his lethal shot but also had physicality, good hockey sense and quick hands that could make him a threat almost every time he was on the ice.
For the Capitals, Ovechkin would be the one to carry them through a complete retool. They were by no means a contender — or even cutting close — when they selected No. 8. But there was a confidence that would change, and he would eventually get them to where they needed to be.
It started with two goals in his NHL debut against the Columbus Blue Jackets. In the same game, he broke the boards on a bone-crunching hit. Ovechkin made an easy statement in his first-ever showing at the highest level: I'm here, and I'm ready to change the team.
In his rookie year, Ovechkin net 52 goals and 54 assists for 106 points in 81 games, winning him the Calder Trophy as the league's top freshman.
The goals kept coming, and all the while, Washington rose up the standings, becoming a playoff team while adding Nicklas Backstrom and more to the mix. After 2008, D.C. was no longer a team at the bottom; it was a yearly contender.
Still, there was the biggest question: when — or, would Ovechkin lead his team to the Stanley Cup? Years of heartbreak ensued as they made the playoffs, with the team unable to get past the second round.
But finally, in 2018, Ovechkin, who pointed out, "One day, it have to happen," and his Capitals finally defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins, eliminating them in six games in the second round, to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. From there, they took care of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and in five games, would defeat the Vegas Golden Knights for their first-ever title.
Fast forward to now, and Ovechkin has his Cup and numerous NHL records and accolades, including nine Rocket Richards, the most power-play goals in league history (312), the most 30-goal seasons (18) and much more.
But one record still looms: Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record, a feat once rendered impossible.
Ovechkin, 38, is 42 goals away from breaking No. 99's golden number of 894. He had struggled to open 2023-24, managing just eight goals in the first half of the season, but stormed back to finish with 31.
So now, it seems that it's not a question of "if," it's when. But with all certainty, Ovechkin has cemented his place as a Hall of Famer and the best thing that happened to Washington.
