Alex Ovechkin Ties Former Capitals Forward Mike Gartner For Most 30-Goal Seasons in NHL History

Posted on January 14, 2023 by Michael Fleetwood

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.

With the goal, Ovechkin records his 17th career 30-goal season, tying Mike Gartner for the most 30-goal seasons in NHL history.

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.

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.

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.

About Michael Fleetwood

Michael Fleetwood was born into a family of diehard Capitals fans and has been watching games as long as he can remember. He was born the year the Capitals went to their first Stanley Cup Final, and is a diehard Caps fan, the owner of the very FIRST Joe Beninati jersey and since then, has met Joe himself. Michael joined the NoVa Caps team in 2015, and is most proud of the growth of the NoVa Caps community in that time. An avid photographer, Michael resides in VA.
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1 Response to Alex Ovechkin Ties Former Capitals Forward Mike Gartner For Most 30-Goal Seasons in NHL History

  1. Anonymous says:
    January 14, 2023 at 8:53 pm

    Death, taxes and Ovi

    Reply

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