Alex Ovechkin took advantage of a beleaguered St Louis Blues goaltending corps by sending a back-handed shot past Jordan Binnington, becoming the first player to score 900 goals in the NHL, as the Washington Capitals bombarded the Blues 6-1 on Wednesday, Nov. 5 at Capital One Arena.

Already leading 1-0 after one period, Binnington’s clearance attempt from behind the net to Nathan Walker was intercepted by Ovechkin, who set up the Capitals offense before he took a pass off the boards to back-hand the historic goal. Binnington briefly pocketed the milestone puck before NHL officials claimed it for Ovechkin’s growing collection. Binnington himself would be shelved nine minutes into the second period after allowing two more goals, as the Blues once again struggled to keep the puck out of the net. Joel Hofer allowed two more goals, while the Blues’ only goal came 37 seconds into the third period on a Capitals power play, when Alexey Toropchenko netted a short-handed goal just after a face-off.

The Blues were outshot 32-24, and only won 43 percent of their faceoffs against the Capitals. They now lead the league in goals allowed with 59, resulting in a league-worst goal differential of negative 21. The loss is the Blues’ eight in their last nine games, as they’re now tied with Calgary for the league’s worst points total at just ten. There won’t be much time for the Blues to dwell on their doldrums, as a visit to Buffalo awaits them. Puck drop against the Sabres is Thursday at 6 p.m.