In a season full of milestones and achievements, Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin made more NHL history Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers.
Late in the first period, Ovechkin put a backhander by Flyers goaltender Carter Hart, securing the 17th 30-goal season of his illustrious career. Ovechkin matches Hall of Famer Mike Gartner for the most 30-plus goal campaigns in NHL history.
Ovechkin tied the mark, scoring 17:56 into the opening period of his own rebound.
The 37-year-old ended 2022 in style, accomplishing two impressive feats before the New Year.
On December 23, Ovechkin passed another Hall of Famer, defenseman Raymond Bourque, for the NHL record for shots. Ovechkin is likely to hold onto the top spot long after he retires. The next closest active player, 38-year-old Florida Panthers center Eric Staal, trails Ovechkin by over 2,000 shots.
Ovechkin scored twice that night, giving him 802 career goals to overtake “Mr. Hockey,” Gordie Howe, for second on the NHL’s all-time goals list.
After scoring goal No. 810 on Saturday night, Ovechkin is only 84 goals away from matching Wayne Gretzky for the all-time lead.
Ahead of the season, Ovechkin downplayed his pursuit of hockey immortality, saying his focus was on bringing the Stanley Cup back to Washington.
“I’m at the age that personal goals are nice, but we understand every year [you get close] to the end of your career,” Ovechkin said. “So I just want to win. I want to be in the playoffs and fight for the Cup.”
Ovechkin and the Capitals ultimately fell to the Flyers, 3-1, dropping to 23-16-6. They entered the night fourth in the Metropolitan Division, seven points behind the first-place Carolina Hurricanes (26-9-7).
