Photo: Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin scored his 30th goal of the 2022-23 in the first period of the team’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night. In doing so he ties former Capitals forward Mike Gartner for the most 30-goal seasons in NHL history.
The goal came with just over two minutes left in the first period.
Alex Ovechkin from the ‘Ovi Spot’ on the power play, goal #809 of his career!#ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/mHxeMpMM6n
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) January 6, 2023
With the goal, Ovechkin records his 17th career 30-goal season, tying Mike Gartner for the most 30-goal seasons in NHL history.
Alex Ovechkin scores his 30th goal of the season to tie the game 1-1. Ovechkin has reached the 30-goal mark for the 17th time in his 18-year career, tying Mike Gartner for the most 30-goal seasons in NHL history.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) January 15, 2023
By notching the mark in his 45th game of the season, the former first overall pick did so in the sixth-fewest games in his 18-season career. In addition, the 37-year old required the fewest games by a player his age or older to reach 30 goals; Montreal Canadiens great Jean Beliveau required the second-fewest with 54 games. Additionally, Ovechkin becomes the 11th NHLer aged 37 or older to reach the plateau.
Alex Ovechkin is the 2nd player in NHL history to score 400 home goals & 400 road goals in his career. (Wayne Gretzky) #ALLCAPS
— Shaun Salehi (@ShaunSalehi) January 15, 2023
The Capitals’ captain is now 85 goals shy of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record of 894 goals. Tonight’s tally marked Ovechkin’s 400th career goal scored at Capital One Arena, putting in the company of Gretzky, Gordie Howe, Jaromir Jagr, and Gartner as the only players in the history of the league to light the lamp 400 or more times at home. He is also just the second player ever to score 400 goals at both home and the road.
Ovechkin’s first-period goal marks his 400th career goal scored at home. He joins Wayne Gretzky (492), Gordie Howe (449), Jaromir Jagr (411) and Mike Gartner (401) as the only players in NHL history to score 400 home goals.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) January 15, 2023
The milestone night marks yet another historic moment for The Great Eight, who has enjoyed a memorable 18th season, passing Gordie Howe in the most goals with one franchise, and for second all-time in history in Goals Scored, among others.
30th goal of the season for this legend!#CapsFlyers | #Gr8 pic.twitter.com/cJYS0Y2gXR
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) January 15, 2023