Climbing On Up: Alex Ovechkin Ties Brendan Shanahan in Even-Strength Points By A Left Wing

Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images

Just one night ago, Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin surpassed NHL great Mark Messier in even-strength goals with his 15th goal of the 2020-21 season. In the first period of the Capitals’ second meeting with the New Jersey Devils in as many nights, The Great Eight continued his climb up the record books with his 16th goal of the season in the first period.

At the 5:58 mark of the opening frame, Ovechkin took a slick pass from Evgeny Kuznetsov to bury his 16th of the season past New Jersey goalie Scott Wedgewood.

Mama that man’s on FIRE pic.twitter.com/gPbOcvhWts

— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 26, 2021

The goal marked Ovechkin’s 810th career even-strength point, tying him with Brendan Shanahan for the fourth-most even-strength points among Left Wings in NHL history, behind the likes of Johnny Bucyk, Luc Robitaille, and Bobby Hull.

Making it 1-0 @Capitals vs NJD tonight, Alex Ovechkin now has 8 goals in his last 8 GP. It marks his 810th career even strength point, tying Brendan Shanahan for the 4th most among left wingers in NHL history behind only Johnny Bucyk (922), Luc Robitaille (881) & Bobby Hull (817) pic.twitter.com/KYLYcLNzt2

— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) March 26, 2021

Kuznetsov’s assist was his 10th point in his last nine games, a stretch in which he has recorded three goals and seven assists.

By Michael Fleetwood

About Michael Fleetwood

Michael Fleetwood was born into a family of diehard Capitals fans and has been watching games as long as he can remember. He was born the year the Capitals went to their first Stanley Cup Final, and is a diehard Caps fan, the owner of the very FIRST Joe Beninati jersey and since then, has met Joe himself. Michael joined the NoVa Caps team in 2015, and is most proud of the growth of the NoVa Caps community in that time. An avid photographer, Michael resides in VA.

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