Photo by Kavin Mistry/NHLI via Getty Images
Alex Ovechkin turned in yet another gem Saturday night in San Jose. In the third game of a long west coast roadie, Ovechkin tallied two goals and an assist to lead the Capitals to a 4-0 blanking of the Sharks. As is the case with most Ovechkin games these days, League milestones were reached and surpassed.
Ovechkin’s first goal of the night came late in the first period. The tally was his 743rd in his career. It was also the 272nd power play goal of his career, leaving him just two shy of Dave Andreychuk’s NHL career record of 274 power play goals.
Office time! pic.twitter.com/Qz3BWE8pmI
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 21, 2021
Ovechkin’s first period goal was his first career goal scored on goaltender Adin Hill, the 151st different goaltender Ovechkin has scored on in his career. Ovechkin scored an empty net goal to extend the Capitals’ lead to 4-0.
Most empty-net goals NHL history:
1. Wayne Gretzky 56
2. Alex Ovechkin 42
3. Marian Hossa 40
4. Mario Lemieux 33
5. Jarome Iginla 32 https://t.co/ANcc1q08eg— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) November 21, 2021
The game marks Ovechkin’s 152nd career multi-goal game, which ranks fourth in NHL history (Wayne Gretzky: 189; Brett Hull: 158; Mario Lemieux: 154).
Ovechkin’s three points (2g, 1a) against San Jose marked his 120th career game with at least three points. Ovechkin passed Luc Robitaille for the 3rd most career 3+ point efforts among left wingers in NHL history, just one away from matching Bobby Hull for the most ever by that criteria.
Ovechkin’s three points on the road against the Sharks on Saturday also moved him into 5th all-time in points among of wingers on the road.
Ovechkin now has 14 goals and 15 assists through 18 games. That ties him for 2nd most points by a 36-year-old or older, after the first 18 games of a season.
Ovechkin has recorded 29 points in 18 games ranks third in the NHL. He’s recorded 18 points during five-on-five play this season, which ranks first in the NHL.
By Jon Sorensen
