Trailing 2-0 against the Dallas Stars early in the second period, the Washington Capitals finally got on the scoreboard with a power play goal from Alex Ovechkin. The goal was the 40th of the season for the Great Eight.
Just when you thought there were no more milestones for Alex Ovechkin to hit, Ovi tallies a goal to complete his 12th 40-goal season tying Wayne Gretzky’s NHL record. pic.twitter.com/TFGjat3toS
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) March 20, 2022
With his 12th career 40-goal season, Ovechkin has tied Wayne Gretzky for the most such instances in NHL history.
#⃣4⃣0⃣ pic.twitter.com/N7FNd5njkx
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) March 20, 2022
The goal also marks Ovechkin’s first career goal against goaltender Jake Oettinger, the 156th different goalie Ovechkin has scored on in his career. There have been 6,701 skaters in NHL history with 156 or fewer goals in their career.
This additionally passes Wayne Gretzky (155) for the fifth most goaltenders an individual has scored on in his career.
The goal came on Ovechkin’s 6,001st career shot. He became just the second player in NHL history to record 6,000 shots on goal.
Harrison Brown wrote
“Washington Capitals signed captain Alex Ovechkin becoming the first player to sign a $100 million contract in NHL history. His contract was worth $124 million over 13 years ($9.54 million cap hit).
After the deal was announced, NBA commissioner David Stern called Leonsis to tell him “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. You will regret this decision for the rest of your life!” according to the Habershaw Podcast.”
That is why to me this record is one of his most important. It’s his dedication, his hunger, his consistency. He talked the talk and has walked the walk. Every year. No coasting, no resting on laurels. It’s more than number of years or number of shots or games played. It’s that they have all been so productive.
Have we reached the point where Ovi milestones outweigh winning and losing? If not, it’s coming.
See Cal Ripken last few years chasing the Iron Man title.
We are close and have taken that step a few times when Ovi has been very close to an important milestone. There have been games where I feel Ovi’s milestone has outweighed winning the game.
But overall, I don’t think we are there yet because Ovi still wants the Cup. To get the Cup we have to win. Ovi scoring goals while we lose won’t cut it.