NHL: They surpassed an important mark this season

BETTING À DAY

A few star National Hockey League (NHL) players have hit a major plateau so far in the regular season. Whether it's a 1000th career game or a 500th goal, these impact skaters have smashed a significant mark that makes them among the greatest in their sport.

Alexander Ovechkin: 800 goals and 1300 matches

The Washington Capitals forward continues to smash records year after year. Number 8 had a historic game on December 13, 2022 against the Blackhawks at the United Center in Chicago. The “Tsar” beat goalkeeper Petr Mrazek after 22 seconds to score his 800th regular season goal. Thereafter, Ovechkin flashed the red light twice more, overtaking the legendary Gordie Howe for second in the NHL's leading scorer rankings. The Russian has become the third skater to join the select 800 Nets club after Howe and Wayne Gretzky. The captain of the American capital team was also the 14th skater in the history of the circuit to play 1,300 clashes with a single formation. This feat was confirmed 10 days before he overtook Howe in terms of goals scored.

Steven Stamkos: 1000 points and 500 goals

The Tampa Bay Lightning captain is having another great season. Stamkos surpassed the 500 goals and 500 assists mark, while recording his 1,000th career point on Dec. 1, 2022 against the Philadelphia Flyers. The first choice of the “Bolts” in the 2008 draft was the only hockey player to reach 1,000 points and 500 goals this season. He scored his 500th goal on January 18, 2023 in a 5-2 win over the Canucks at Rogers Arena in Vancouver. His teammate Alex Killorn had seen Stamkos who was alone at the mouth of the net and the right-hander only had to redirect his teammate's skilful pass. The 32-year-old even had a hat trick during this clash. He became the 23rd player in Bettman Tour history to accomplish this feat with the same team. The forward could even reach another mark this season, he who is 23 games away from 1,000 in his career.

Patrice Bergeron: 1,000 points and 600 assists

< p>The Quebecer became the fourth player in Boston Bruins history, after Raymond Bourque (1,506), Johnny Bucyk (1,339) and Phil Esposito (1,012), to score 1,000 career points. Bergeron was the 41st skater in NHL history to score 1,000 points with the same roster. He was instrumental in a goal by Brad Marchand in a 5-3 triumph over the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on December 21, 2022. The L'Ancienne-Lorette native achieved another feat recently by powering a teammate for the 600th career time in a 7-1 win over the Ducks in Anaheim.

Evgeni Malkin: 1000 games and 1200 points

On November 20, 2022, Malkin was in uniform for the 1000th time in his career. The 36-year-old center celebrated the night with a goal in a 5-3 win over the Blackhawks in Chicago. The forward sits second in games played in Pittsburgh, behind none other than Sidney Crosby. The 36-year-old recently wrote another chapter. Malkin scored his 1,200th regular season point on February 11. The Russian made a great pass to Bryan Rust, who beat Ducks goaltender John Gibson. He occupies the third level of the best scorers in the history of the “Pens” behind Crosby (1476) and Mario Lemieux (1723).

John Tavares: 1000 games, 900 points and 400 goals

The Toronto Maple Leafs center has achieved several significant feats during this campaign. On October 17, against the Arizona Coyotes, he collected his 900th career point. Tavares got an assist on a net from William Nylander on the power play. The 32-year-old veteran then moved the ropes for his 400th career time on Nov. 15 in Pittsburgh. He did it against Casey DeSmith and with a pinpoint shot. He became the 107th NHL player to score 400 goals. Finally, his most recent achievement materialized on January 26, when he played his 1,000th game. For the occasion, he faced the Red Wings in Detroit.