Assisting Ovechkin: Closer look at setting up 800-plus goals

By STEPHEN WHYNO
AP Hockey Writer

A total of 140 different teammates have assisted on at least one goal by Alex Ovechkin on his way to second on the NHL career list. Longtime center and Washington Capitals running mate Nicklas Backstrom leads the way with 276. Defenseman John Carlson is next with 142. Only 40 of Ovechkin’s 810 goals have been unassisted. He’s 85 away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record that long seemed unapproachable.