Jakob Chychrun Gets 20th, Aliaksei Protas Gets 30th in Loss
Ovechkin scores goal 890, five away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's goal record
Despite the 8-5 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday, the Capitals had a few bright spots.
Having recently signed an eight-year extension, Jakob Chychrun scored twice to reach a new career high of 20 goals. Chychrun’s previous career high was 18, which he set in 2020-21 with Arizona. His first goal of the game opened the scoring. Dylan Strome found Alex Ovechkin streaking into the offensive zone off the bench, and the Capitals captain rifled a one-timer that was saved by Sabres goalie James Reimer. However, Reimer left a big rebound and Chrychun scored.
Chychy setting a new career high in goals all the while changing his goal song to Bandz is simply the best pic.twitter.com/CoW62tjMLs
— x – Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 30, 2025
After a pair of Sabres goals, Chychrun scored again to tie the game. With the goal, he became the ninth defenseman in team history to score 20 goals.
The power of Bandz compels you, Chych pic.twitter.com/tAhFbn2Y7Z
— x – Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 30, 2025
“It’s nice. You always wish you get the win after accomplishing something like that,” Chychrun said. “But yeah, it’s nice.”
The Caps’ third goal came on a shorthanded breakaway from Aliaksei Protas, his 30th of the year. Protas has already set a new career high in goals, points and assists. The goal gave the Caps a trio of thirty goal scorers as Protas joined Tom Wilson and Alex Ovechkin for the first time since the 2009-10 season. He also joined Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom as the only players in franchise history to score 30 goals in a season at the age of 24 or younger.
What an incredible season you are having, Pro pic.twitter.com/lv8LjT95VT
— x – Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 30, 2025
“I’m super proud of him. He’s a guy that has earned everything. He’s come from a part of the world that is very far away, from a town that you have to work really hard to get out of to get to the NHL,” Wilson said. “Obviously, him and his brother have done an amazing job.”
Ovechkin scored career goal 890 in the loss putting him four away from tying Wayne Gretzky’s record and five from breaking it.
You've just got to witness Alex Ovechkin score his 890th career goal pic.twitter.com/XsynA88aFX
— x – Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 30, 2025
