Good times roll as Ovechkin, Capitals plan more celebrations for goals record

The celebrations aren’t done for Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. The franchise said it will continue honoring its captain’s NHL record 895th goal with special events on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

The Russian’s gap-toothed grin is an unavoidable sight this week, as Ovechkin is being feted throughout the District. Passing Wayne Gretzky to top the NHL’s all-time goals leaderboard is worthy of celebration — lots of celebration, according to the Capitals.

The team will host hundreds of children at Wednesday’s practice, the team’s first full practice since the record-breaker against the New York Islanders on Sunday.

Thursday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes will feature an extended pregame ceremony to honor Ovechkin, while former teammates T.J. Oshie and Nicklas Backstrom will join the goal-scoring king at Union Station for a fan event on Friday.

“Our team has worked tirelessly to keep our fans connected to this once-in-a-lifetime event and bring Alex’s historic milestones to life,” said Zach Leonsis, the son of Capitals owner Ted Leonsis and president of media at Monumental Sports. “Together, we look forward to witnessing even more unforgettable moments as we continue to cheer on the Capitals as they take aim toward the Stanley Cup.”

The Capitals’ practice facility in Arlington, Virginia, joins the festivities on Wednesday morning. The site will host 895 fourth and fifth-graders — one for each Ovechkin goal — from five nearby schools to celebrate the milestone.

Older fans get their shot to applaud Ovechkin on Thursday. The upcoming game marks Ovechkin’s first trip back to Capital One Arena since passing Gretzky in Long Island over the weekend.

While a hearty contingent of Capitals fans made the trek up I-95, the upcoming game against the Hurricanes will be the first opportunity for many Washington diehards to salute “the Great Eight.”

A pregame ceremony will honor Ovechkin along with his wife, Nastya, and their two sons, Sergei and Ilya. The Leonsises said they plan to present the new record-holder with a “special gift” to mark the occasion. The NHL already presented a commissioned painting to Ovechkin on Sunday.

“When I set the record, they bought me a Rolls Royce,” Gretzky said to Ted Leonsis on Sunday. “So, you got your work cut out.”

Fans won’t be left out either. Attendees at Thursday’s game will receive a free rally towel depicting Ovechkin’s celebratory belly-flop from Sunday’s game.

If the giveaway isn’t enough, paid merchandise will be available at the arena’s new “Ovi Shop” on 7th Street. The pop-up will be open through the remainder of the season with a full catalog of Ovechkin-specific gear.

Customers can sport their new “895” apparel on the “Gr8 King Throne” next to section 114. Formerly the “Gr8 Chase Throne,” team officials have updated the oversized seat with a new backdrop.

“KING,” it proclaims.

But wait, there’s more.

Celebratory banners have already unfurled at Union Station.

On Friday, the transportation hub will host a party for fans featuring appearances by Ovechkin, Ted Leonsis, Backstrom and Oshie. Capitals connoisseurs can grab giveaways like Ovechkin-themed shirts and “fat heads on a stick” while enjoying photo opportunities, Skee-Ball and an inflatable shooting cage.

The celebrations have continued almost non-stop since Ovechkin passed Gretzky in the second period of Sunday’s game. League officials stopped play for several minutes to roll out a carpet, honoring the Russian and his family for the latest milestone in a legendary career.

When the Capitals returned to the District on Sunday night, videos quickly appeared on social media showing a team party at the Balos Estiatorio restaurant on N Street. One viral recording showed Ovechkin being greeted with two beers — one for each hand — as he entered the establishment.

The team took Monday off, while Tuesday featured an “optional skills practice” that Ovechkin did not attend.

Less than 48 hours after the record-breaker, Capitals officials unveiled an Ovechkin mural in Adams Morgan. Painted by hockey fan Brandon Hill on the side of the Jubilee Housing headquarters, the display depicts Ovechkin taking a shot while wearing the black “Screaming Eagle” throwback uniform.