Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
October 28, 2005 - Throughout the first 10 games of his career, Alex Ovechkin had already begun to make his mark on the NHL. The Caps' young superstar wowed audiences around the league with his thrilling blend of speed, physicality, and, of course, goal scoring. The Caps may not have been all that exciting at the time, but one could be assured that if number 8 was on the ice, there was always a chance something amazing could happen. In his first game in Tampa Bay, Ovi made sure to keep the fans entertained. Ovechkin got on the board early after blowing by the Lightning defenders for a breakaway goal. The 20-year-old wasn't done, however, as on a penalty kill later in the period (yes, Ovechkin used to kill penalties), Ovechkin once again used his blazing speed to create another breakaway and put home his first career shorthanded goal off a slick move. "Does this kid ever love to score goals?!" remarked Capitals color commentator Craig Laughlin in reaction to the celebration, a call that still stands out as one of the most iconic of Ovechkin's rookie season. In just one period, Ovechkin had made his presence felt by those in attendance, not least of whom was Lightning color commentator and NHL legend Phil Esposito, who praised the rookie's performance in a first intermission interview. Ovechkin's strong play continued throughout the game, headlined by a massive open ice hit on Dmitri Afanasenkov in the third period. Unfortunately, hockey is a team sport, and despite the Great 8's best efforts, the defending champion Lightning were able to take the lead and come away with the victory. But even though the Caps weren't able to get in the win column, fans couldn't be too upset, as with each passing game, it was becoming more and more apparent that they were witnessing the start of something special.
- 1st Period -
0:00 - Intro
0:17 - Goal 1
1:37 - Goal 2, first career shorthanded goal, "Does this kid ever love to score goals?!"
3:14 - Quick moves and chances
3:37 - Phil Esposito gives his first impression on Ovechkin
Full Interview: youtu.be/LfPPUcW5LT8
- 2nd Period -
4:33 - Nice pass to Brooks Laich
- 3rd Period -
4:46 - Hit on Fedotenko
4:53 - Wins battle and clears puck on penalty kill
5:09 - Shot block
5:32 - Ovi shows off speed on rush chance
5:43 - Huge hit on Dmitri Afanasenkov
6:08 - Shot
6:37 - Hit on Martin St. Louis
6:44 - Hit on Pavel Kubina
7:46 - Final buzzer
More classic Ovechkin games - youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH8bFa0t7qpQfBYEXybnEr9NbAqFcPyyq
October 28, 2005 - Throughout the first 10 games of his career, Alex Ovechkin had already begun to make his mark on the NHL. The Caps' young superstar wowed audiences around the league with his thrilling blend of speed, physicality, and, of course, goal scoring. The Caps may not have been all that exciting at the time, but one could be assured that if number 8 was on the ice, there was always a chance something amazing could happen. In his first game in Tampa Bay, Ovi made sure to keep the fans entertained. Ovechkin got on the board early after blowing by the Lightning defenders for a breakaway goal. The 20-year-old wasn't done, however, as on a penalty kill later in the period (yes, Ovechkin used to kill penalties), Ovechkin once again used his blazing speed to create another breakaway and put home his first career shorthanded goal off a slick move. "Does this kid ever love to score goals?!" remarked Capitals color commentator Craig Laughlin in reaction to the celebration, a call that still stands out as one of the most iconic of Ovechkin's rookie season. In just one period, Ovechkin had made his presence felt by those in attendance, not least of whom was Lightning color commentator and NHL legend Phil Esposito, who praised the rookie's performance in a first intermission interview. Ovechkin's strong play continued throughout the game, headlined by a massive open ice hit on Dmitri Afanasenkov in the third period. Unfortunately, hockey is a team sport, and despite the Great 8's best efforts, the defending champion Lightning were able to take the lead and come away with the victory. But even though the Caps weren't able to get in the win column, fans couldn't be too upset, as with each passing game, it was becoming more and more apparent that they were witnessing the start of something special.
- 1st Period -
0:00 - Intro
0:17 - Goal 1
1:37 - Goal 2, first career shorthanded goal, "Does this kid ever love to score goals?!"
3:14 - Quick moves and chances
3:37 - Phil Esposito gives his first impression on Ovechkin
Full Interview: youtu.be/LfPPUcW5LT8
- 2nd Period -
4:33 - Nice pass to Brooks Laich
- 3rd Period -
4:46 - Hit on Fedotenko
4:53 - Wins battle and clears puck on penalty kill
5:09 - Shot block
5:32 - Ovi shows off speed on rush chance
5:43 - Huge hit on Dmitri Afanasenkov
6:08 - Shot
6:37 - Hit on Martin St. Louis
6:44 - Hit on Pavel Kubina
7:46 - Final buzzer
More classic Ovechkin games - youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH8bFa0t7qpQfBYEXybnEr9NbAqFcPyyq
