Photo: Chase Agnello-Dean/Getty Images
With his two goal night in the Washington Capitals‘ 3-2 win in Game 4 of their first-round Stanley Cup Playoff series against the New York Islanders, captain Alex Ovechkin moved past Detroit Red Wings legend Gordie Howe and Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby into sole possession of 18th on the NHL’s all-time goals in the tournament (69).
The 34-year-old did so in 22 fewer games than Howe and 33 fewer than Crosby.
Ovechkin is now two goals shy of passing Steve Yzerman for the 17th-most in Stanley Cup Playoff history.
With the two goals, Ovechkin also moved into sixth place all time for most career goals when facing elimination.
The second goal was Ovechkin’s fourth of the first-round. Tuesday’s two-goal performance also marked his second multi-goal game of the series (two goals in Game 2).
Ovechkin blasted one from the top of his office on a one-timer after defenseman John Carlson fed him from up high to tie it at two at 5:29 of the second period.
GOATee magic pic.twitter.com/mRlpJmU1tQ
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) August 19, 2020
He ripped one high-glove on Varlamov from the right dot after roaring into the offensive zone for his second of the game just 3:40 into the third.
Playoff goal No. 69 for the #Gr8! pic.twitter.com/3vyNWxBKgY
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) August 19, 2020
Ovechkin’s multi-goal game also tied Evgeni Malkin for most postseason multi-goal games by a Russian player.
Game 5 of the series is set for Thursday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
By Harrison Brown
