Alexander Ovechkin will be honored tonight with a pre-game ceremony for passing Gordie Howe for second on the NHL's all-time goals list

The Washington Capitals will honor their captain, Alexander Ovechkin, with a pre-game ceremony on March 21st, before their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The ceremony commemorates Ovechkin's achievement of passing Gordie Howe for second place on the NHL's all-time goals list, with his 802nd career goal on December 23rd, 2022, against the Winnipeg Jets.

The ceremony will feature Alex Ovechkin receiving a special gift from the organization, the NHL, the National Hockey League Players' Association, and his teammates. Capitals players will also wear Ovechkin's jersey number, #8, during warmups, which will later be signed and auctioned off by the Monumental Sports & Entertainment Foundation.

All fans in attendance will receive an Ovechkin goal counter bobblehead, and the augmented reality experience, "AR Ovi," built by Balti Virtual, will allow fans to bring Ovechkin into their world. Fans are encouraged to share their AR Ovi photos on social media and use the #Gr802 hashtag.

The event will also feature designated season ticket members lining the player's arrival hallway to welcome Ovechkin and the team. Fans will also receive cutouts of Ovechkin's image for warmups. They can visit the Ovechkin themed throne and photobooth on the 100-level concourse.

NBC Sports Washington will provide comprehensive coverage throughout the night, with Capitals Pregame Live beginning at 6:30 p.m. from Capital One Arena.

Alexander Ovechkin, who has recorded 36 goals in 61 games this season, is on pace to score 45 goals. If he reaches 50 goals, it would mark his 10th career 50-goal season, passing Gretzky and Bossy for the most in NHL history. Ovechkin also holds records for the most power-play goals, most goals in road games, and most goals with the same team in NHL history.

Alexander Ovechkin is the only player in NHL history to win a Stanley Cup, a Conn Smythe, a Calder, an Art Ross, a Hart, a Ted Lindsay, and a Maurice Richard Trophy.

The Capitals' pre-game ceremony on March 21st is sure to be a historic moment as they honor their captain and one of the greatest goal-scorers in NHL history.

Alexander Ovechkin's NHL career

Alexander Ovechkin is a Russian ice hockey player who has had a storied career in the NHL. He was drafted first overall by the Washington Capitals in 2004 and has played his entire career with the team. Ovechkin is known for his impressive goal-scoring ability, having won the Rocket Richard Trophy as the league's leading goal scorer nine times.

Ovechkin has also won numerous other awards, including the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player three times. He helped lead the Capitals to their first-ever Stanley Cup championship in 2018, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest players in NHL history.