Alex Ovechkin scored goal No. 798 so quickly ESPN missed it

Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin. Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Ovechkin scored goal No. 798 so quickly ESPN missed the moment

Originally posted on DC Sports King
By King W. Motley III | Last updated 12/13/22

ESPN learned a valuable lesson in its reintroduction to broadcasting the NHL. Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin entered Tuesday’s game against the Chicago Blackhawks needing three goals to become the third NHL player to reach 800.

The “Worldwide Leader in Sports” is primed to catch every scoring moment of the Great 8. Except he scored so fast that ESPN wasn’t ready and missed it.

ALEXANDER OVECHKIN IS TWO GOALS AWAY FROM EIGHT HUNDRED pic.twitter.com/Wxzv71xxAO
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthewCFB) December 14, 2022

Ovechkin scored his 798th career goal 24 seconds into the game. However, ESPN was using a split screen to show former Blackhawks great Chris Chelios introducing the Blackhawks’ lineup. There was no commentary either. ESPN failed to fully capture the moment live. But a replay did makes its rounds for fans to see.

Since ESPN missed it… here is goal 798 from the Great 8 via @capitals pic.twitter.com/m3avPIMEPs
— Washington DC Sports News (@DCSportsNews365) December 14, 2022

Still, the gaffe ruined the moment for fans of Ovechkin and the Capitals.

Ovechkin scored a second goal moments later. Hopefully, ESPN is done with the split screens and will be focused on Ovechkin in case he pulls off a hat trick and scores No. 800.