We’re normally getting ready for another hockey season, but we’re in a different world. Last Word on Hockey is still going to look back at each date’s historical significance to the game. We’ll remember the moments that shaped the sport of hockey that happened on this day. Here’s our look at this date in hockey history for October 5, featuring Alex Ovechkin.
Today in Hockey History
Alex Ovechkin Debuts for Capitals
2005: The “Great Eight” makes his first appearance with the Washington Capitals. Ovechkin is the first pick of the 2004 NHL Draft is the first Caps player to score twice in his debut. The Russian winger’s goals help Washington to a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Little did sports pundits know how special he would become and how he has affected odds like those at casino-
Those goals are the first of his 52 that he’ll score in his rookie season. Ovechkin takes the Calder Trophy for the league’s top rookie. He also makes the NHL First-Team for the first three seasons.
Other Notable Events
1932: The Detroit Red Wings play their first game under that name. Detroit had been known as the Cougars and the Falcons in their first six seasons in the NHL. The game also debuts the Winged Wheel logo that the team is synonymous with.
1976: Hockey comes to the Mile High City as the Colorado Rockies play their first game since relocating from Kansas City. Larry Skinner scores the team’s first goal in a 4-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. The team relocates east to become the New Jersey Devils six years later. They tie their first game, 3-3, with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
1983: Wayne Gretzky starts his record 51-game scoring streak with a goal and an assist for the Edmonton Oilers. Gretzky powers the Oilers to a 5-4 win over the Maple Leafs and would get a point in each game until January 28.
Steve Yzerman gets his first goal in a 6-6 tie with the Winnipeg Jets while Marcel Dionne reaches another milestone. Dionne passes Maurice Richard for fifth on the goal-scoring list in the Los Angeles Kings 3-3 tie against the Minnesota North Stars.
1990: Pittsburgh’s Kevin Stevens gets a record six points (two goals, four assists) in a 7-4 win over Washington.
1993: The Dallas Stars win their first game since relocating to Texas. Neal Broten scores twice in a 6-4 victory over Detroit.
2005: Daniel Alfredsson wins the first shootout in league history as the Ottawa Senators top Toronto, 3-2.
2017: The Red Wings open Little Caesar’s Arena with a 4-2 win over the Minnesota Wild. Henrik Zetterberg breaks a tie in the third period and Jimmy Howard stops 37 shots for his 200th career victory.
Happy Birthday to You
1900: Lorne Chabot
1916: Roy Conacher
1932:Dean Prentice
1965: Mario Lemieux: Patrick Roy
1966: Fredrik Olausson
1985: Nate Thompson
1987: Michael Grabner
1992: Sven Baertschi
