Alexander Ovechkin, the star forward for the Washington Capitals and their captain, registered a 6:2 goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets in a regular NHL game. That tally represented his 29th goal of the season and kept him on a high pace after a remarkable career in North American hockey.
According to the NHL press service, the 37-year-old Russian is just one step away from matching the record held by former Capitals great Mike Gartner. Gartner, a legendary figure for the franchise, is renowned for achieving 30 goals or more in 17 different NHL seasons, a landmark that stands as a record in league history. Ovechkin’s current trajectory places him within striking distance of that milestone, underscoring his longevity and consistent scoring touch. (NHL)
To date, Ovechkin has reached the 30-goal mark on 16 occasions. The only season in which he did not hit 30 goals was the 2020-2021 campaign, a shortened schedule caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In that season, the Capitals’ captain tallied 24 goals, continuing his overall trend of prolific production when healthy. (NHL)
Across his NHL career, Ovechkin has amassed an impressive 809 goals. He remains 85 goals behind Wayne Gretzky, the league’s all-time leading scorer with 894 goals, a gap that many analysts watch closely as his career progresses. (NHL)
Earlier reports noted that Ovechkin climbed to a clear second place among Europeans in the all-time point totals in the NHL, underscoring his standing not only in American hockey but on the global stage as well. His continued presence on the scoresheet resonates with fans across North America and around the world who follow the Capitals and the wider league with keen interest. (NHL)