Screen cap: NBC Sports Washington
After signing a five-year contract to remain with the Washington Capitals this past summer, there were questions about whether Alex Ovechkin would be able to produce enough in his age-36 season in his pursuit of NHL great Wayne Gretzky’s all-time Goals Scored record. During Wednesday night’s contest against the Detroit Red Wings, Ovechkin continued his hot start to the 2021-22 season, scoring a power play marker in the final minute of the first period.
The goal came at the 19:05 mark of the first frame, with the Caps on the man-advantage. Hard work by the Capitals’ captain led to the team heading to the locker room with a 1-0 lead.
BANG BANG! pic.twitter.com/arUMm9Xs1u
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 27, 2021
A view of the goal from the Capital One Arena seats:
First goal back home – classic Ovi scooooar. Wow I’ve missed this arena! ❤️❤️ #allcaps @NoVa_Caps @NBCSCapitals @Capitals pic.twitter.com/Rrn9s4HJtQ
— PorkchopTheTripawd (@TripawdPorkchop) October 27, 2021
The goal marked the 738th goal of Ovechkin’s 17-season NHL career and eighth of this season, moving him to within three and four tallies, respectively, of tying and passing NHL great Brett Hull for fourth all-time in Goals Scored. Additionally, it marked The Great Eight’s 271st career goal with a man-up, putting him ever closer to becoming the all-time leader in that category.
Alex Ovechkin scores on the power play for his NHL leading eighth goal of the season. The goal was scored on the power play, and he’s now four power play goals shy of passing Dave Andreychuk (274) for the most power play goals in NHL history.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) October 27, 2021
Ovechkin also joins Maurice “Rocket” Richard as the only players 35 or older to score eight or more goals in their teams’ first seven games of a season, each doing so eight times.
Making it 1-0 @Capitals vs the Wings tonight, Alex Ovechkin has recorded the 106th occurrence of a player scoring 8+ goals through their team’s first 7 games of a season. Of those 106 times, he and Maurice Richard (8 in 1957-58) are the only players older than 35 to have done so pic.twitter.com/g3XuvBfNFt
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) October 27, 2021
Anthony Mantha and Lars Eller were credited with assists on the goal. Mantha, who played over 300 games with the Red Wings before being traded to the Capitals last season, recorded his first career point against his former club.
By Michael Fleetwood
