Screen cap: NBC Sports Washington
It was questionable as to who actually scored the goal. In fact, it was first credited to Capitals centerman Dylan Strome. But as they say, “upon further review” the tally actually belonged to Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, his 40th tally of the season.
After receiving a cross-ice feed from winger Tom Wilson, Ovechkin made a cross-ice feed to Dylan Strome, who appeared to redirect the pass for the score. But after review it was determined that Ovechkin’s cross-ice feed never touched Strome’s stick.
Dylan Strome scores against the Columbus Blue Jackets to make it 1-0 #WSHvsCBJ #ALLCAPS #CBJ pic.twitter.com/LB5X7yIBTW
— nopClips (@nopClips) March 21, 2023
Strome said in an intermission interview that he was pretty sure he never touched the puck, and that he told Ovechkin that in the celebration pile.
With the goal, It’s Ovechkin’s 40th goal of the season, marking his 13th career 40-goal season. Ovechkin passes Wayne Gretzky (12) for the most 40-goal seasons in NHL history.
Ovechkin becomes just the fifth player in NHL history to score 40 or more goals at age 37 or older (Gordie Howe: 44g in 1968-69; Johnny Bucyk: 40g in 1972-73; Brendan Shanahan: 40g in 2005-06).
Since 2005-06, Ovechkin’s rookie season, no other player has more than six 40-goal seasons.
Ovi’s lost a bunch of goals under similar circumstances so it all evens out.
Still not sure it was his and not Strome’s