Ovechkin can catch Messier

[SBR Drew]

Ovechkin can tie the Hall of Famer for eighth place on the NHL's all-time goals list when the Washington Capitals visit the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on Friday (7:30 p.m. ET; TSN5, RDS, NBCSWA, NHL.TV). The Capitals forward enters the game with 693 goals, one behind Messier and seven shy of becoming the eighth player in League history to score 700.

[SBR Drew]

Ovechkin ripped a shot from the right circle over a blocker at 10 minutes, 27 seconds of the second period to make it 3-1 and tie Messier. He later added an empty-net goal with seconds remaining to pass the Hall of Famer.

Messier congratulated Ovechkin via a statement to the NHL.
"You have amazed us all with your skill, shot, and grit -- a rare combination. But more importantly, you have inspired a generation of girls and boys with your passion to score and play the game," Messier's statement said in part.