Capitals' Alex Ovechkin on brink of making franchise history

Washington Capitals left winger Alex Ovechkin. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Capitals' Alex Ovechkin on brink of making franchise history

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Oct 17, 2026 5:48 PM ET

After the Washington Capitals' victory against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, Alex Ovechkin is one assist short of tying Nicklas Bäckström for the most assists in Capitals history (762).

Ovechkin recorded an assist in the second period in Washington's 4-2 victory. The Capitals were dominant in the second frame, responding with three goals from Ilya Protas, Dylan Strome, and Boone Jenner.

Ovechkin recorded his assist on the goal from Protas, and the veteran played his part as he looks to make the most of his final season in the NHL.

Surpassing Bäckström in assists will be a huge milestone to add to Ovechkin's legendary career, and becoming the Capitals' franchise leader in assists will prove that he is more than just a goal-scorer.

OVI ➡️ PROTAS FOR THE LEAD! Alex Ovechkin is now ONE ASSIST shy of tying Nicklas Bäckström for the most assists in Capitals history https://t.co/8qJdaM4xCm
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) October 17, 2026

Why Alex Ovechkin becoming the all-time assists leader will cement his franchise dominance

For Ovechkin to wrap up his NHL career with more assists would cement his franchise dominance. He already holds the Capitals' franchise records for goals (930), games played (1,581) and power-play goals (331).

Being the all-time assists leader would allow him to own every major offensive category in Capitals history, which would be an incredibly rare feat to achieve. Excelling in every offensive category would also put him in the record books as the prime offensive catalyst that drove the Capitals' success.

Moving forward, every assist he records will help him climb the NHL's all-time points leaderboard. With the NHL season still in its early stages, it will be interesting to see how many assists Ovechkin can rack up by the end of the campaign.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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