Capitals' Alex Ovechkin Scores 1,000th Career Goal in Loss to Avalanche

The NHL legend reaches another milestone, but Washington falls short against Colorado.

Mar. 23, 2026 at 1:36am

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Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin scored his 1,000th career goal between the regular season and playoffs in a 3-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday. Despite the milestone, the Capitals fell short against one of the league's top teams as they continue to battle for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Why it matters

Ovechkin is one of the greatest players in NHL history, and reaching 1,000 career goals is an incredible individual accomplishment. However, the Capitals are in a tight race to make the playoffs, so the loss to the Avalanche is a setback as they try to secure a postseason berth.

The details

Ovechkin scored his 26th goal of the season in the game, giving him 1,000 combined regular season and playoff goals over his illustrious career. The Capitals ultimately fell to the Avalanche by a score of 3-2, despite Ovechkin's milestone tally.

  • Ovechkin scored his 1,000th career goal on Sunday, March 23, 2026.

The players

Alex Ovechkin

A legendary forward for the Washington Capitals and one of the greatest goal scorers in NHL history.

Colorado Avalanche

One of the top teams in the NHL, currently battling for a top seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

Washington Capitals

An NHL team currently fighting for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference as they look to return to the postseason.

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What they’re saying

“It's always nice to reach something, and it was an important goal as well.”

— Alex Ovechkin

“Obviously, it (stinks) that we lost, but right now every point we'll take it. We played one of the best teams in the League and you can see that we fight and it was a tight game.”

— Alex Ovechkin

What’s next

The Capitals will look to bounce back on Tuesday when they travel to take on the St. Louis Blues as they continue their push for a playoff spot.

The takeaway

While Ovechkin's 1,000th career goal is a remarkable individual achievement, the Capitals' focus remains on securing a playoff berth in a tight Eastern Conference race. The loss to the Avalanche was a setback, but the team will need to regroup and continue fighting to extend Ovechkin's illustrious career with a deep postseason run.