Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images

Just a few after scoring two goals in the first period of a 2-0 shutout win against the Carolina Hurricanes, Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin repeated the feat against the New Jersey Devils, in Thursday night’s division tilt at Capital One Arena. The two goals gave Ovechkin his 15th consecutive 30-goal season, an accomplishment that puts him in rare company in NHL history.

Earlier in the period, Ovechkin was hit up high by New Jersey forward Miles Wood’s stick, cutting the Capitals’ captain lip open, though going uncalled by the officials, which was met with some heat by Ovechkin, who responded in the best way possible.

Ovechkin’s first goal came at the 15:17 mark of the first period, on a 5-on-3 power play, from his typical spot in the left faceoff dot. The goal was his 28th of the 2019-20 season and came on assists from John Carlson and Nicklas Backstrom.

Just another Thursday at the office @ovi8 pic.twitter.com/YXDIScWYKr

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 17, 2020

Ovechkin’s second tally of the opening frame came just under four minutes later at the 19:08 mark, on an assist from Backstrom. The goal was the former first overall pick’s 30th of the season and pushed the Caps’ lead to 2-0 after 20 minutes of play.

Cue Shake, Rattle & Roll 🎶 pic.twitter.com/rInhZVgwIW

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) January 17, 2020

Ovechkin’s 30th goal gave him his 15th consecutive 30-goal season, a feat only accomplished by former Capitals forwards Mike Gartner and Jaromir Jagr, and becomes the first player to do so with the same team. Additionally, he joins Gartner as the only player to record 30 goals in his first 15 seasons.

Ovechkin has reached the 30 goal mark for his 15th consecutive season, becoming one of three players in NHL history to record 15 straight 30 goal seasons (Jaromir Jagr and Mike Gartner) and the only one to accomplish the feat with one team.

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) January 17, 2020

Another 30-goal season for @ovi8!

He is the second player in NHL history to score 30+ goals in each of his first 15 seasons, joining longtime @Capitals forward Mike Gartner (1979-80 – 1993-94). #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/m6G4mKESnC

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 17, 2020

Ovechkin’s two-goal game gave him his 140th multi-goal contest, passing Los Angeles Kings great Marcel Dionne for sixth-most in NHL history, and just four from passing Phil Esposito (143) in fifth. Ovechkin’s two goals gives him 688 in his career, bringing him to within three of passing Mario Lemieux for 10th all-time. Additionally, Ovechkin’s 0.60 Goals Per Game average in his career ranks The Great Eight fifth in NHL history, including a rate of 0.57 Goals Per Game since reaching 30 years of age. Of all players who have reached 700 goals in their career, only two have scored at a rate of 0.50 or more from the age of 30.

Ovechkin has averaged 0.60 goals-per-game to this point in his career – to rank fifth in NHL history (min. 300 GP) – including a League-best 0.57 rate since celebrating his 30th birthday on Sept. 17, 2015.

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) January 17, 2020

By recording an assist on Ovechkin’s two goals, Backstrom recorded his 256th and 257th assists to Ovechkin. In the history of the NHL, only three players (Wayne Gretzky, Bryan Trottier, and Henrik Sedin) have assisted a teammate more.

Nicklas Backstrom assisted on Ovechkin’s goal, the 256th time in his career he’s done this. Only three players in NHL history have set up a teammate more: Wayne Gretzky (364; Jari Kurri), Bryan Trottier (310; Mike Bossy) and Henrik Sedin (280; Daniel Sedin).

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) January 17, 2020

By Michael Fleetwood