Hendrix Lapierre's Alex Ovechkin Fandom Comes Full Circle After First Career Goal

Lapierre's Ovi fandom comes full circle after first goal originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

It doesn't get much better than scoring your first NHL goal in your first NHL game like Hendrix Lapierre did on Wednesday night in the Capitals' 5-1 win over the Rangers in the season opener. 

To do it alongside the player you grew up idolizing? That's a near-perfect night right there. 

"It was so fun," Lapierre told Al Koken after the game. "I was just sitting on the bench before the game looking at everyone and I was like, 'Oh, that's amazing, that's a dream come true.' To cap it off with a really good win, it was a perfect night and the fans were incredible, the atmosphere was incredible, it's tough to put into words honestly. It couldn't have been better." 

After Lapierre put one in the back of the net off a nice pass by TJ Oshie, the Capitals tweeted out pictures of a young Lapierre in an Ovechkin jersey and posing in front of his poster. 

And let's not forget the cherry on top of it all, where the young center got to celebrate his goal with Ovechkin on the same night the Caps' legend moved into fifth on the NHL's all-time goals list. 

"For me as a young guy, just to get those shoulder taps and to see those guys score, it's pretty special," Lapierre said. "[Ovechkin's] the greatest scorer of all time and he showed it today again. He's amazing to watch." 

The time for celebrations is over, however, as the Caps get set to host the two-time reigning Stanley Cup champion Lightning on Saturday night. Washington is leaning on Lapierre to provide an injection of youth into their lineup and they'll certainly need some more of what he brought in the opener against Tampa over the weekend. 

Coverage for Capitals vs. Lightning begins at 6:00 p.m. on NBC Sports Washington with Capitals Pregame Live and continues immediately following Saturday's game with Capitals Postgame Live.