Ovechkin ties Fedorov for most NHL points by Russia-born player

TORONTO --Alex Ovechkin tied Sergei Fedorov for most NHL points by a Russia-born player (1,179) for the Washington Capitals in a
6-3 loss
to the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday.

Ovechkin reached the milestone when he scored his NHL-leading 37th goal of the season at 3:51 of the second period which gave the Capitals a 2-1 lead.
"Of course it's special. It's nice, of course, it's a big privilege especially when you played together and you learned a lot from that legend," Ovechkin said. "I'm pretty sure Fedorov is happy it's me, nobody else."
Ovechkin has 1,179 points (644 goals, 535 assists) in 1,053 games. Fedorov, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015, had 1,179 points (483 goals, 696 assists) in 1,248 games with the Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets and Capitals.
Fedorov was acquired by Washington in a trade with Columbus on Feb. 26, 2008, and played alongside Ovechkin for 70 games before retiring following the 2008-09 season.

"I can't say enough about what [Ovechkin has] done for the growth of the game, the National Hockey League in Russia. What he's done as a Russian player and the accomplishments he's had are amazing. They speak for themselves," Capitals coach Todd Reirden said.
"But how he's able to do it year after year after year in different ways, it's a real credit to how his game is still growing. He still wants to get better every day and that's the thing that makes him so special. He continues to grow as a leader and we believe in him with what he was able to accomplish last year with our team (winning the Stanley Cup)."
Ovechkin, 33, previously broke Fedorov's record for most NHL goals by a Russia-born player (484) on Nov. 19, 2015. He is 14th in League history in goals and tied with Fedorov for 49th in points.
"I'm very glad that he found something in my game and in our experience when we crossed paths with the Capitals and it helped him achieve great results," Fedorov said. "I don't consider myself I'd like to be an example. I'd like to help someone on the ice and away from the rink. Hopefully, I was able to help Ovechkin with something."