Alex Ovechkin tied for most power play goals in NHL history, leads league in scoring
Anthony Scultore
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A funny thing has happened for Alex Ovechkin on the way to chasing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal scoring record of 894 tallies.
Last night, in the Capitals 5-4 OT loss to the Blackhawks, Ovechkin scored career goal 751. He’s one of four players to record 750+ goals in the NHL history, joining Gretzky (894), Gordie Howe (801) and Jaromir Jagr (766).
While 751 is impressive in and of itself, there was even more significance to it.
Alex Ovechkin ties Dave Andreychuk
Ovechkin welcomed the return of his best buddy Nicklas Backstrom, who missed the team’s first 28 games with a hip injury dating back to last season.
The savvy vet center wasted little time reconnecting with his old friend, notching the secondary assist on Ovechkin’s power-play goal that opened the scoring with 16:24 remaining in the second period.
Ovechkin stretched his point streak to six games with the goal, which marked the 274th of his career on the power play, tying Dave Andreychuk atop the all-time NHL list.
“When that day comes, I had a good run. Let’s just say that,” Andreychuk said earlier this season. “It’s been a while. It’s been fun. And to be put in that same class, as Phil Esposito, Brett Hull, and now Alex Ovechkin, I’m so very honored.”
The 36 year-old is making a strong case to win his fourth Hart Trophy as NHL MVP. As of right now, Ovechkin leads the league in points with 46 in 29 games, one more than both Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl (45).
What a season for the Great 8.