Alex Ovechkin Breaks Sergei Fedorov's Russian Scoring Record

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The goal also tied the score against the Dallas Stars in the third period, so it was a meaningful goal on a number of levels for the Capitals captain even if Washington ended up losing the game 3-2.

During the media timeout, the Capitals honored Ovechkin and his new record on their video board. The presentation also included a special message of congratulations from Fedorov himself. The now Hall of Famer scored his 483rd and final NHL goal while a member of the Capitals as well. The lone assist on that goal was Ovechkin's.

The record comes thanks to Ovechkin's durability and consistency. He has never missed more than 10 games in a given season, which is impressive in itself. Then he's put up 50 or more goals in six seasons and has won the Rocket Richard Trophy as the league's goal scoring champion five times.

Ovechkin's career average of 0.62 goals per game is tied with fellow Russian Pavel Bure and Bobby Hull for the third highest rate in the NHL's modern era (beginning in 1967). Only Mario Lemieux and Mike Bossy were better, but Ovechkin's NHL years have proven much more difficult to score in.

There will be more milestones in Ovi's future. He is one of the greatest goal scorers of this or any generation. It won't be much longer before he becomes the first Russian player to hit the 500-goal mark. In a few years, he'll be the first of his countrymen to hit 600. After that, who knows how many more times he'll fill an NHL net.

A proud Russian, this record clearly meant a lot to Ovechkin. Now that he's achieved it, he'll probably be able to loosen his grip on his stick and just play. Until he scores goal 499, that is.

The 30-year-old sniper still has a lot of good hockey left in him and five more years remaining on his contract after this one. It will be incredibly fun to watch him continue chasing down some of the greats on the game on the NHL's all-time goal-scoring list.

Link (With Video): http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on...breaks-sergei-fedorovs-russian-scoring-record

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