NHL star takes his chances on $1.5B US Powerball

ARLINGTON, Virginia — Even though Alex Ovechkin makes $10 million a year playing for the Washington Capitals, he can't pass up the chance to try to win the $1.5 billion Powerball jackpot.

Fresh off scoring his 500th NHL goal, a photo appeared on social media of Ovechkin buying Powerball tickets in Virginia with his father.

Ovechkin, who plans to get more tickets, says, "It was funny. Who's going to take a picture of me? It's crazy. People are crazy."

The odds of winning the jackpot are one in 292.2 million, but the Russian says he knows the odds are small.

He says, "If I win, I'll let you guys know."

The 30-year-old Ovechkin is in the eighth season of a $124 million, 13-year contract. After taxes, the lump sum Powerball payout would be $930 million.