Oh Captain, Red-Hot Captain: Alex Ovechkin Extends Points Streak to Eight Games, Ties For League Lead in Scoring

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Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has started the 2021-22 NHL regular season as a man on mission, entering Friday night’s game against the Arizona Coyotes with points in seven games to start the season. During the Capitals’ 2-0 victory at Capital One Arena, the 36-year old extended the streak to eight on the way to a Caps win.

Ovechkin’s first point came on an assist on defenseman John Carlson’s goal at the 17:02 mark of the third period. The assist pushed Ovechkin’s points streak to eight games, tying a franchise-record held by Ovechkin (who accomplished the feat in his rookie season of 2006-06) and former Capitals forward Alexander Semin (who did so in 2006-07). Additionally, it moved The Great Eight to within four assists of 600 for his career.

Alex Ovechkin earned the secondary assist on Carlson’s goal. Ovechkin is now four assists shy of 600 career assists.

— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) October 30, 2021

Ovechkin added to his night by scoring an empty-net goal, giving him his ninth of the season and 739th of his career, moving him to within three of passing Brett Hull for fourth all-time in NHL history.

Alex Ovechkin of the @Capitals extended his season-opening point streak to eight games (9-6—15) and moved into a tie with Connor McDavid (7-8—15 in 6 GP) for the League scoring lead.#NHLStats: https://t.co/ZzVeEt6lf2 pic.twitter.com/iwNdC1Gmhv

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) October 30, 2021

Ovechkin’s two points gives him 15 (nine goals, six assists) in eight games, tying him with the Edmonton Oilers’ Connor McDavid (seven goals, eight assists) for the league lead in scoring. In addition, Ovechkin added to his league lead in goals. His 15 points in eight games also equals the fewest amount of contests to the mark since the 2009-10 season.

With a goal and an assist tonight, Alex Ovechkin reached 15 points (9 goals, 6 assists) in eight games, equaling the fewest games its taken him to get to 15 points in his career from 2009-10.

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) October 30, 2021

By Michael Fleetwood