Capitals' Alex Ovechkin becomes first Russian-born player with 500 goals

— -- Washington -- Washington Capitals captain  Alexander Ovechkin has become the first Russian-born NHL player to reach the 500-goal plateau.

Playing in just his 801st NHL game, Ovechkin ripped a shot over Ottawa Senators netminder Andrew Hammond on a power play with 3:41 left in the second period Sunday for the historic marker.

Only Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Mike Bossy and Brett Hull, all Hall of Famers, scored 500 goals sooner in their careers.

The sellout crowd at the Verizon Center in Washington immediately rose to their feet, many throwing hats onto the ice in celebration.

The entire Capitals team flooded onto the ice to congratulate the 30-year-old winger, and netminder Philipp Grubauer skated the length of the ice to join in the happy melee.

Ovechkin extended his arms and clapped to acknowledge the fans and then later gave a wave from the bench as play was set to resume with the Capitals leading 5-1.

Since he joined the NHL in 2005-06, Ovechkin has scored 148 more goals than any other player and collected 48 more points.

In an interview with ESPN.com this week, the five-time goal-scoring champion and three-time league MVP said he wasn't nervous about becoming the first 500-goal scorer from his country.

"Sooner or later it's going to happen," he said. "I still have lots of time to do it and of course it's going to be a huge privilege to be put in a category with those names and be the first Russian to reach that kind of milestone."

Ovechkin also insisted his desire to score has never waned.

"No, you just want more and more," Ovechkin said.

"You're just hungry to score goals. I'm hungry to score goals. I think if you're hungry to score goals, you're hungry to play hockey; it's motivation," he said. "Of course when you play, it's fun time. You just enjoy the crowd even if they're booing you or they're cheering for you. It's just a dream come true."

The goal was the 25th of the season for Ovechkin, tying him, at least temporarily, with Patrick Kane and Jamie Benn for the league lead.