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Published Apr 07, 2026 • 3 minute read
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A fresh-faced Washington Capitals rookie Alex Ovechkin, centre, is congratulated by teammates after scoring one of his two goals in his first game against the Maple Leafs on Nov. 6, 2005, in Washington. Nick Wass/AP fileArticle content
The Great Eight always lived up to his nickname against the Maple Leafs.
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From the first time Alex Ovechkin faced Toronto, two power-play goals in Washington on Nov. 6, 2005, against Mikael Tellqvist, he’s been the bane of the blue and white. Like Wednesday’s contest at Scotiabank Arena will have, there was a Domi and a McCabe in that 5-4 Leafs’ loss, Tie (Max’s father) and Bryan (no relation to Jake).
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The NHL’s all-time goal leader went on 45 goals versus Toronto, with 35 assists, in 63 games, one of his best marks against non-divisional opponents. He added three goals in the 2017 playoff series that the Caps won in six games.
But Wednesday, he faces Toronto for possibly the last time. Though still a force with 31 goals in 78 games, raising his total to 928 since passing Wayne Gretzky last season, his future at age 40 is in doubt with the Capitals teetering on playoff elimination.
Washington Capitals’ superstar Alex Ovechkin celebrates after scoring one of his career 45 goals against the Maple Leafs on Nov. 25, 2017. Chris Young/The Canadian Press file
Ovechkin and Toronto’s John Tavares are No. 1 overall picks separated by five years, Tavares with the Islanders.
While Tavares is just one of two NHLers to have 250 goals with a pair of teams and has passed the likes of Jean Beliveau and Dale Hawerchuk, he’s more than 400 behind Ovechkin.
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“The deeper and deeper you get in your career, you have to evolve,” Tavares said in praise of Ovi after Tuesday’s practice. “The way you played at 25 is different a decade or so later. But he still understands how to get to his spots, still has an incredible knack to get open and score.
“His stick has always had incredible eyes. When he shoots, it always seems to find its way in, whether it just overpowers you or has touch. My time on New York we had some really tough battles.”
While with the Leafs and before that, San Jose, Carolina and Florida, Steven Lorentz will tell his grandchildren about being on the same ice with Ovechkin — and their humorous exchanges.
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“Usually, it’s me saying, ‘Hey buddy, nice goal’ or ‘Don’t hit me with that power-play one-timer’, ” Lorentz chuckled. “He’ll laugh with me. He seems like a really nice guy.
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“It’s an insane thing that I haven’t played 400 NHL games yet and he has more than 900 goals. Wrap your head around that, with how hard it is to score in this era on today’s goalies. It’s really the love he has for the game. You can see that in his goal celebrations and how fierce a competitor his is.”
Ovechkin has left many a Leaf bruised with that puck velocity Lorentz mentioned. NHLers have been known to send shattered shin guards down the hall after a game to have Ovi sign them as a badge of honour.
Lorentz has kept a unique photo from a Hurricanes-Caps’ encounter.
“It’s me beating him in a faceoff, through a sequence of four frames. Hopefully, maybe he can sign it one of these days. He’s such a great ambassador for the game and he’ll be remembered as the greatest scorer of all time.”
HE SHOOTS, HE SCORES!
Alex Ovechkin most goals against by team, including games played in parantheses.
Winnipeg/Atlanta 58 (77)
Philadelphia54 (82)
Carolina53 (96)
Tampa Bay51 (86)
NY Islanders56 (77)
NY Rangers 56 (80)
Toronto45 (63)
Montreal44 (63)
New Jersey44 (82)
Pittsburgh43 (81)
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