Raised in Moscow within the Soviet sports system by parents who were accomplished athletes, Alex Ovechkin was given every chance to succeed at hockey and along the way showed he didn't need special treatment.

Alex Ovechkin, six goals away from surpassing Wayne Gretzky's NHL record of 894 career goals, and the Washington Capitals play the Wild on Thursday night.

Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin is knocking on the door of an NHL record most thought would never be broken. Only three players in NHL history have scored 800 or more goals — Ovechkin, Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe.

Jakob Chychrun in his first season with the Washington Capitals delivered them offense from their blue line that helped them become the top team in the NHL. Now, he's sticking around for the long term.

Chychrun joined the Capitals last July as part of a trade and has matched his career-high with 18 goals this season

Jakob Chychrun in his first season with the Washington Capitals delivered them offense from their blue line that helped them become the top team in the NHL.