The Great Wait is over, and The Great One is next.
The Winnipeg Jets played Santa Claus to Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on Friday, even if it is Scrooge vibes for their own fans going into the Christmas break.
The Jets dropped a 4-1 decision in D.C., their third loss in the last four games and fifth in their last eight as they embark on three days off feeling anything but merry and bright.
The Capitals scored a goal in each period to build a 3-0 lead, one of them the 801st of Ovechkin’s career, trying him with Gordie Howe for second place on the NHL’s all-time list.
The Great Eight passed Howe with an empty-net goal, No. 802, with one minute to go, sparking a standing ovation and a brief ceremony, including a taped video message from Howe’s son, Mark, telling Ovechkin to set his sights on No. 99, now.
That would be The Great One, of course, Wayne Gretzky, and his total of 894 goals.
For the Jets, it was a silent night for their big guns, Kevin Stenlund getting the only goal.
Sonny Milano and Nic Dowd were the other Capitals to beat David Rittich, whose record fell to 5-4 filling in for No. 1 goalie Connor Hellebuyck.
The Jets were out-shot, 27-26, and fall to 21-12-1, still chasing Dallas for first place in the Central Division.
Next up for Winnipeg, home games against Minnesota and Vancouver next Tuesday and Thursday, respectively.
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