WASHINGTON -- More than 3,000 fans braved pouring rain outside to shower Alex Ovechkin with adoration inside Capital One Arena on Friday, continuing the celebration of him passing Wayne Gretzky as the NHL’s all-time leader in goals.

Alex Ovechkin's reputation as a wrecking ball gained another layer Thursday as he delivered four hits during the Washington Capitals' 5–4 shootout win over the Carolina Hurricanes. In doing so, he quietly moved into third place all-time in NHL hits,

Getting Alex Ovechkin the NHL goals record was a major motivator for the Washington Capitals over the past month. The other aim was locking up the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the fast-approaching playoffs.