Alex Ovechkin closing in on another goal scoring record en route to Wayne Gretzky
Anthony Scultore
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Alex Ovechkin pumped home two more goals as he continues to climb the list towards the top where Wayne Gretzky sits.
His three point night helped the Washington Capitals defeat the San Jose Sharks 4-0, but it was his first goal on the power play that brought him closer to another record.
Ovechkin nearing NHL record for power play goals
At the 13:58 mark of the first period, Ovechkin set up shop in his office on the man advantage. A quick one-timer from the left circle for career goal 272 on the PP, just two behind Dave Andreychuk to tie for the all-time lead.
Every great player seems to have an area of the ice, or a signature move that they are known for. Behind the net is known as Gretzky’s Office, Mark Messier used to come down the right side and score with a leg pump move, Phil Esposito owned the crease. For Alex Ovechkin it is the left circle on the power play.
Ovechkin climbing the list, faces Kraken next
The 36-year-old Ovechkin has 14 goals this season, tied for second in the league behind Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl, who has 18. Ovechkin’s 744 career goals rank fourth behind Wayne Gretzky (894), Gordie Howe (801) and Jaromir Jagr (766).
“It means a lot,” Ovechkin said after passing Brett Hull. “When you start playing hockey, when you come to the NHL, you never thought you’d be in that position with those names. It’s a special moment with my parents, my wife, kids, obviously.”
Fans in Seattle will get their first look at the “Great 8,” Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, on Sunday night.
Seattle is mired in a six-game losing streak during which it has allowed 31 goals. That includes a 7-3 loss to the visiting Colorado Avalanche on Friday night when the expansion Kraken scored the final three goals of the game.
“We are finding ways to lose,” said Jordan Eberle, who scored his team-leading ninth goal in the loss. “We can still turn this around to be a competitive team.”
The Kraken allowed a power-play goal and a short-handed goal in the opening 6:39 and never recovered. Seattle is 0-9-0 when trailing at the end of the first period.
“We’re getting down in games, and we’re not helping ourselves when we get down,” captain Mark Giordano said. “We’re taking more chances when we get down. Against good teams, they are going to make you pay. You’re giving them odd-man rushes. You’re giving them a lot of zone time on their chances because we’re taking way too many risks too early in the game.”
–Field Level Media contributed to this article