Photo by John McCreary/NHLI via Getty Image
Alex Ovechkin scored the game-winning goal in the Capitals’ 4-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night. The goal was the 121st game-winner of his career, tying him with Gordie Howe for second place on the all-time list.
Ovechkin scored a power play goal at 11:48 into the third period, giving the Capitals a 4-2 lead. The tally was assisted by Evgeny Kuznetsov and Nicklas Backstrom. The Devils scored with just 32 seconds to go in a 6-on-5 situation, thus making Ovechkin’s goal the game winner.
OVI MAKES IT FOUR SOMEBODY CALL A DOCTOR pic.twitter.com/cIcuy0hg4t
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) March 27, 2022
Alex Ovechkin’s goal stood as the game winner, marking his 121st career career game-winning goal. That ties Gordie Howe for the second most in NHL history.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) March 27, 2022
This game-winning goal occurred on a night the team was honoring Nicklas Backstrom for his 1,000th career NHL point which was scored on March 9 against the Edmonton Oilers. Backstrom himself scored a go-ahead goal earlier in the third period, which had put the Capitals ahead, 3-2 at the time.
The next game-winning goal Ovechkin scores will give him sole possession of second place on the all-time list in game-winning goals. The only player standing in front of him is Jaromir Jagr, who scored 135 game-winners.
Ovechkin’s goal allowed him to achieve another milestone on Saturday night. He tied Jari Kurri for 21st place in NHL points with 1,398 career NHL points. He is now just two points shy of 1400 NHL points.
With the goal, Ovechkin ties Jari Kurri (1,398) for the 21st most points in NHL history and is two points shy of 1,400 career points.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) March 27, 2022
Saturday night’s milestones join other notable Ovechkin milestones this year, including passing Marcel Dionne (731), Brett Hull (741), and Jaromir Jagr (766) in career goals, passing Dave Andreychuk in power play goals, and moving steadily up the ranks in NHL career points.
By Diane Doyle
As I posted in a different article about the game, I think this was Ovi’s 156th goalie victim and ties him with Gretsky for #1. Have not had it confirmed but no one has proven it wrong either.
It’s actually up to 157 different goaltenders. Tom Guilitti posted that scoop yesterday. Nico Daws is the 157th different NHL goaltender Alex Ovechkin has scored against.
Darn, I missed one.
Am I right that Gretsky had 156 so with 157 Ovi is now in sole possession of first place?
I can find the first 145 online. Perhaps an article with the more recent ones?
Found Gulitti’s tweet and he had answered my question:
Ovechkin tied Ron Francis for the fourth highest such total in NHL history, behind Jaromir Jagr (178 different goalies), Patrick Marleau (177) and Mark Messier (164).
Somehow I thought Wayne had scored on the most goalies (156). But I bow to Gulitti’s superior knowledge.
I honewtly thought no one would ever pass The Great One. Im thinking I was wrong. As Ovie is only 30 behind Howe and still has 16 games to play this year he could get close to 780 this year. Then he would have 4 more years to get to 894; which he is only 123 away from now. So that means for the next 4 seasons, if he doesnt score another goal this year, he would need to average 31 goals a year to be #1. He can do it!!