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Alex Ovechkin sets one goal record, ties another with 2-goal performance in Vegas

By J.J. Regan

Alex Ovechkin sets one goal record, ties another with 2-goal performance originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington

If it feels like Alex Ovechkin’s current goal-scoring pace is unbelievable, that’s because it’s never been done before. With his second period goal Wednesday against the Vegas Golden Knights, Ovechkin now owns the single-season record for goals by a player 36 or older. His 49 goals passes Teemu Selanne’s former record of 48 set in the 2006-07 season. Ovechkin then hit goal No. 50 in the third period, tying Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy for the most 50-goal seasons in NHL history with nine.

Ovechkin came close to scoring the first historic tally in the first period as he snuck a shot through goalie Robin Lehner. The puck stopped behind the netminder, however, and Evgeny Kuznetsov swooped in to slam it home. Kuznetsov returned the favor in the second.

Some quick puck movement and an ill-advised line change gave the Caps a 2-on-1 with Kuznetsov feeding Ovechkin for the one-timer for the goal. 

But he wasn’t done.

With Washington trailing 3-2 in the third period, Ovechkin teed up a slap shot from the top of the faceoff circle to beat goalie Logan Thompson for goal No. 50 on the season.

Ovechkin’s remarkable durability has been noted throughout his career and is a major reason why his chase of Wayne Gretzky’s goal record of 894 is even believed to be possible. Most of the top goal scorers in league history climbed the leader board with monster seasons in their 20s and early 30s before seeing a sharp dropoff in production in their mid-30s. Gretzky himself never even scored 40 goals once he hit the age of 31.

Ovechkin, however, still shows no signs of slowing down. Since he turned 30, he has scored more than 45 goals in five out of seven seasons and has now reached 50 for the third time in seven seasons and the ninth time in his career.

Ovechkin’s 50 goals ties him for the record, but this season could have been the record-setter if not for the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season. In that year, he had 48 goals through 68 games when the season was paused and, eventually, ended freezing him at 48. Had the season continued, he would have easily hit the 50-goal mark that season as well.

All about Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin with stats and contract info

By NBC Sports Washington Staff
All about Alex Ovechkin with stats and contract info originally appeared on NBC Sports WashingtonEver since making his NHL debut in 2005, Capitals star Alex Ovechkin has proven to be the greatest goalscorer the sport has ever seen.The 2004 No. 1 overall pick scored two goals in his first career game and hasn't stopped finding the back of the net at record pace, putting him within reach of Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals mark. Ovechkin has compiled an impressive trophy case along the way, winning three Hart Memorial Trophy MVPs, a record nine Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophies as the NHL's leading goal scorer, nine NHL First-Team selections, 12 all-star selections, the 2018-19 Stanley Cup title and the Conn Smythe Trophy for the MVP of that year's playoffs.He is undoubtedly one of the greatest hockey players of all time. Alex Ovechkin's BioHeight: 6-foot-3Weight: 238 poundsBirthdate: Sept. 17, 1985 Birthplace: Moscow, RussiaNHL experience: 17 seasonsJersey No. 8Alex Ovechkin's Career StatsAfter showing no signs of slowing down with a 50-goal season in Year 17, Ovechkin has continued to put up mind-boggling stats deep into his 30s. Here are his complete career numbers to date (through Oct 11, 2022): 1,274 games played780 goals scored630 assists1,410 pointsStanley Cup Playoffs:141 games71 goals64 assists135 pointsAlex Ovechkin's Contract DetailsIt was always a matter of "when" and not "if" Alex Ovechkin would sign a contract extension with the Capitals this past offseason. The five-year, $47.5 million deal he signed at the end of July 2021 showed his desire to finish his career in the nation's capital with an eye towards breaking the all-time goals record as well. Ovechkin's deal ends following the 2025-26 season. Where does Alex Ovechkin rank on the all-time goals list? Ovechkin finished his 17th NHL season with a clean 50 goals, bringing his career total to 780. Here's where that ever-growing mark ranks on the all-time goals leaderboard: Wayne Gretzky: 894Gordie Howe: 801Alex Ovechkin: 780Jaromir Jagr: 766Brett Hull: 741Other Alex Ovechkin RecordsMuch has been made about Ovechkin's all-time goals chase, but he's also accumulated some other pretty impressive records along the way as well. Most recently, Ovi broke the all-time power play goals mark with his 275th score on New Year's Eve against the Red Wings. By a second, he narrowly beat the release of Detroit's man in the penalty box to secure the record. Here are some of the Great 8's other all-time NHL records: Most scoring titles: nineMost overtime goals: 24Most consecutive 30-goal seasons: 15 (tied with Jaromir Jagr and Mike Gartner)
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