Fans at Capital One Arena had their minds on a milestone Saturday night for Alex Ovechkin.
Turns out, they got one from Claude Giroux.
The captain delivered a goal and two assists in the Flyers' 7-2 rout of the Capitals, giving him 800 career NHL points. Ovechkin's quest for 700 goals was put on hold as he stayed at 698 by night's end.
Giroux is one of only 16 active players to score 800 or more career points. His durability and toughness are often underappreciated.
Over the last 10 seasons, only three NHL players have more points than Giroux's 726 — Patrick Kane (774), Sidney Crosby (740) and Ovechkin (739). During that span, the 32-year-old has played in 749 out of a possible 759 games.
Not too bad.
Let's look at some social media reaction after Giroux hit 800:
That's 8️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ points for Giroux!
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) February 9, 2020
Oh, and it's 7-1, Flyers. pic.twitter.com/qllWsL4MSH
Because in this house these days we celebrate every type of milestone, big or small!!!🤩 Happy 800 points @28CGiroux!! pic.twitter.com/YxSDw1ki6X
— Ryanne Giroux (@ryannegiroux) February 9, 2020
Congrats to a great leader and a better friend on 800 points!!!! pic.twitter.com/Ew0vwMVShO
— Scott Laughton (@Laughts21) February 9, 2020
Claude Giroux 800 points.
— Jordan Hall (@JHallNBCS) February 9, 2020
The longest-tenured athlete in this city.
(📷 by Flyers PR guru Zack Hill) pic.twitter.com/1axcxoR8Xa
Most regular-season points, @NHLFlyers history:
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 9, 2020
1,210 – Bobby Clarke
883 – Bill Barber
849 – Brian Propp
800 – @28CGiroux #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/8HMZDiO5gn
Claude Giroux became the third player from the 2006 #NHLDraft to reach the 800-point mark, joining Nicklas Backstrom (241-674—915) and Phil Kessel (369-486—855). #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/9EFKhmAUJt
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 9, 2020
Props to you, Claude Giroux (@28CGiroux), on 800 career points. 👊 pic.twitter.com/gHcdovzN0O
— NHL (@NHL) February 9, 2020
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