Is Alex Ovechkin the greatest goal-scorer to ever play the game?

That's the question after the Washington Capitals captain pocketed his 600th career marker Monday, becoming the 20th player in NHL history to do so.

Two points for consideration:

While 19 others reached the 600-goal plateau prior to Ovechkin, none did so in the current era.

In fact, the most recent player to hit 600 was Jarome Iginla, who met the mark in January 2016. Iginla scored his first goal in 1996, nine years before Ovechkin made his NHL debut.

Before that? Look to Teemu Selanne, who notched his 600th in March 2010, while Joe Sakic turned the trick in February 2007.

In all, Ovechkin was the fourth-fastest to enter the 600-goal club, doing so in 990 games. Only three players outpaced Ovie, as Wayne Gretzky scored his 600th in Game 718, while Mario Lemieux did so in 719. Brett Hull reached it in 900 contests.

All things considered, is Ovechkin the premier goal-scorer of all time?

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Is Alex Ovechkin the greatest goal-scorer to ever play the game?

That's the question after the Washington Capitals captain pocketed his 600th career marker Monday, becoming the 20th player in NHL history to do so.

Two points for consideration:

While 19 others reached the 600-goal plateau prior to Ovechkin, none did so in the current era.

In fact, the most recent player to hit 600 was Jarome Iginla, who met the mark in January 2016. Iginla scored his first goal in 1996, nine years before Ovechkin made his NHL debut.

Before that? Look to Teemu Selanne, who notched his 600th in March 2010, while Joe Sakic turned the trick in February 2007.

In all, Ovechkin was the fourth-fastest to enter the 600-goal club, doing so in 990 games. Only three players outpaced Ovie, as Wayne Gretzky scored his 600th in Game 718, while Mario Lemieux did so in 719. Brett Hull reached it in 900 contests.

All things considered, is Ovechkin the premier goal-scorer of all time?

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Alex Ovechkin didn't need long to hit the 600-goal plateau Monday night against the Winnipeg Jets, following up his first-period marker with the milestone goal early in the second.

The Washington Capitals star became the 20th player, and fourth-fastest in league history, to hit the 600 mark.

Ovechkin's second of the night was No. 42 on the season, while his first moved him past Jets forward Patrik Laine and back into the league lead.

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Auston Matthews is making progress, but he's not all the way back just yet.

The Toronto Maple Leafs superstar took part in a full practice Monday for the first time since sustaining a shoulder injury, but he was still sporting a red no-contact jersey.

Matthews rotated in during the line drills and even took a few reps as a defenseman, but didn't take part in a battle drill toward the end of the session, according to TSN's Mark Masters.

Leafs head coach Mike Babcock said he didn't expect Matthews to be in the lineup for the club's next game Wednesday against the Dallas Stars.

The 20-year-old center was considered day to day after leaving late in a Feb. 22 shootout win over the New York Islanders, but he hasn't played since.

Despite missing the last six games, Matthews still leads Toronto with 28 goals, and he's tied with William Nylander for second on the club with 50 points.

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Steve Mason can't catch a break.

The Winnipeg Jets netminder underwent knee surgery Monday and will be sidelined for two to three weeks, confirmed coach Paul Maurice.

Mason's latest setback comes after he missed 21 games with a concussion. Mason played Tuesday against the New York Rangers, his first appearance since Jan. 9.

In 12 games this season, Mason has a 4-6-1 record alongside a .906 save percentage.

The Jets signed Mason to a two-year, $8.2-million contract last offseason.

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The latest odds from the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook have pegged the Tampa Bay Lightning as the favorite to win the 2018 Stanley Cup.

The Lightning edged ahead of the Vegas Golden Knights, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Nashville Predators, which all tied for second place.

On Saturday, the Lightning became the first team this season to reach the 100-point plateau, doing so in their 69th game. The focus now turns to the playoffs, as Tampa Bay aims to capture its first championship since 2004.

Here are the complete odds:

Opening odds were posted May 30, 2017.

Furthermore, poor performance this season means seven teams are already off the board, including the Chicago Blackhawks, who have won three Stanley Cups since 2010.

Also out of betting contention are the Arizona Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres, Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, and Vancouver Canucks.

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The latest odds from the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook have pegged the Tampa Bay Lightning as the favorite to win the 2018 Stanley Cup.

The Lightning edged ahead of the Vegas Golden Knights, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Nashville Predators, which all tied for second place.

On Saturday, the Lightning became the first team this season to reach the 100-point plateau, doing so in their 69th game. The focus now turns to the playoffs, as Tampa Bay aims to capture its first championship since 2004.

Here are the complete odds:

Opening odds were posted May 30, 2017.

Furthermore, poor performance this season means seven teams are already off the board, including the Chicago Blackhawks, who have won three Stanley Cups since 2010.

Also out of betting contention are the Arizona Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres, Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, and Vancouver Canucks.

Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Video contains coarse language

Glen Gulutzan used some colorful language at practice on Monday.

Following Sunday's 5-2 loss to the New York Islanders, the Calgary Flames bench boss delivered some profane-laced instructions in hopes of motivating his slumping squad.

It's the second time this season Gulutzan has turned to on-ice theatrics. In January, he showed his displeasure during practice by tossing his stick into the stands. That tantrum was followed by a five-game winning streak.

A similar performance would certainly help Calgary now, as the team sits two points back of a playoff position. The Flames have won just a pair of their past seven games.

Gulutzan is in his second season as Flames coach, and owns a 79-59-14 record since his hiring.

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It feels like ages ago when a 20-year-old Alex Ovechkin took the league by storm in his rookie season, scoring 52 goals to capture the Calder Trophy over Sidney Crosby, but 12 years later, "The Great Eight" still sees himself as a spring chicken.

Prior to a marquee matchup between the league's two top goal-scorers - he and Winnipeg Jets phenom Patrik Laine - Ovechkin was asked if he sees "young Ovi" in Laine, to which he replied: "I'm still young," according to Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post.

Despite the response, Ovechkin did indeed have high praise for the 19-year-old.

"He's a great talent and still young and still can produce lots of dangerous (chances against) different teams," he told NHL.com's Tom Gulitti. "Obviously his shot is pretty amazing. Tonight, we have to stay close to him and don't give him any chance."

Laine was quite humbled by Ovechkin's comments.

"It sounds pretty good to me that's saying nice things about me," Laine told Gulitti. "He's been my biggest idol when I was growing up, so it's pretty unreal to hear something like that, him talking about me. It's pretty cool."

It's hard not to draw comparisons between the two players. Both are right-handed shots, play left wing, are big, have deadly one-timers, and neither shies away from physical play.

Viewers can only hope the two snipers put on a show when they meet Monday night in Washington.

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The Arizona Coyotes granted head coach Rick Tocchet a leave of absence to deal with a family illness, the team announced Monday.

"Family comes first," said general manager John Chayka. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Toc as he deals with this personal matter. It's important that he takes the time to be there with his family."

Assistant coach John MacLean will serve as the club's head coach until Tocchet returns.

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