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Since he entered the league in 2005-06, Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has made the Caps’ power play one of the most lethal in the league. His characteristic one-timer from his “office” has become one of the biggest weapons for Washington’s special teams, and on Saturday night against the Carolina Hurricanes, Ovechkin’s office once agains saw him move up the NHL record books.

Ovechkin scored his 23rd goal of the 2019-20 season with the man-advantage, pulling the Caps within one, at the time, of Carolina. The goal was also Ovechkin’s 256th power play goal of his career and allowed him to take sole possession of third place on the All-Time Power Play Goals list, breaking a tie with the great Teemu Selanne.  This goal also placed him in first place in power play goals for all players who were not born in North America.  Ahead of him is Brett Hull, who was born in the USA with 265 power play goals and Dave Andreychuk who was Canadian born with 274 power play goals.

The Great Eight passes The Finnish Flash!@Capitals captain @ovi8 scored his 256th career power-play goal in the regular season to move past Teemu Selanne (255) for sole possession of third place on the NHL’s all-time list. https://t.co/XNMkzLK3SS #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/YfuFWiqbvp

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 29, 2019

The goal was Ovechkin’s 682nd goal of his career, pulling him to within two of tying Selanne for 11th all-time goals. The goal also gave Ovechkin the most power play tallies of any player born outside North America, with Brett Hull having nine more, and all-time leader Dave Andreychuk having 274.

Alex Ovechkin scores on the power play to cut the Carolina lead to 3-2. It marks Ovechkin’s 256th career power play goal, passing Teemu Selanne for the third most in NHL history. pic.twitter.com/mHhOxmUN7e

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) December 29, 2019

By Diane Doyle