Alex Ovechkin just overtook Wayne Gretzky on a nuanced, but impressive goals record.
Ovechkin scored twice in the first period against the Vancouver Canucks.
The goals were Ovi’s 402nd and 403rd road goals of his career, tying and then leap-frogging The Great One.
Career goal no. 792 | Road goal no. 402
This is the goal that tied Gretzky.
After forcing a turnover near the Vancouver Canucks net, the Capitals captain took the puck to the paint and scored beating Spencer Martin short side. The goal was All-Ovi, ie: unassisted
Man’s on a tear pic.twitter.com/W2tsGZcKVc
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 30, 2022
It was about a second from when Ovi blocked the pass to when he junked the puck home past Martin.
https://t.co/RLXTNTuuly pic.twitter.com/bESeYeT0v7
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 30, 2022
Career goal no. 793 | Road goal no. 403
Ovechkin got the road goals record after nailing a one-timer from the left circle that squeaked through Martin’s seven-hole. The goal came at 5v5 after being set up by Dylan Strome on a rush up ice.
Getting acquainted with goalie victim No. 165 pic.twitter.com/kpGr0NFMcO
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 30, 2022
The goals were nine minutes a part, exactly.
At the first intermission, he spoke about getting the record. NBC Sports Washington’s Al Koken what was behind his success away from Capital One Arena.
“I dunno,” Ovechkin said. “Lots of fans, lots of attention.”
Fun stats
Ovechkin now sits seven goals away from 800 in his career. He trails Gordie Howe by eight and Wayne Gretzky by 101 on the NHL’s all-time goals list.
The goal was Ovechkin’s 135th career game-opening goal tying Jaromir Jagr for the most all-time.
Most game-opening goals in NHL history:
135 – Jaromir Jagr
134 – Alex Ovechkin
131 – Brett Hull
127 – Gordie Howe
119 – Teemu SelanneDid you get it right? #NHLStats: https://t.co/w1xZU7TlLp pic.twitter.com/0GV8N55Flk
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 30, 2022
Spencer Martin is now the 165th goaltender Ovechkin has scored against. Ovi is now in sole possession of third place on this list. Only Jagr and Patrick Marleau have scored on more different goalies.
Ovechkin’s goal marks his first career goal against Spencer Martin, the 165th different goaltender Ovechkin has scored on in his career. Ovechkin passes Mark Messier (164) for the third-most goaltenders scored on in NHL history.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) November 30, 2022
Only Jaromir Jagr (178) and Patrick Marleau (177) have scored on more goaltenders. Marleau ranks first in NHL history in games played and Jagr ranks fourth, while Ovechkin ranks 66th.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) November 30, 2022
Ovechkin’s game-opening goal was his 40th career unassisted tally.
Ovechkin’s goal was unassisted, marking the 40th unassisted goal of his career.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) November 30, 2022
Ovechkin continues to bedevil Bruce Boudreau-led teams.
Caps record: 11-4-0
Goals: 13
Assists: 12
PPG: 7
This content was originally published here.
