The National Hockey League spotlighted Alexander Ovechkin, the Russian winger for the Washington Capitals, as the first star of December. The league’s communications team highlighted his exceptional performance during the month and celebrated his milestone achievements on the ice.
Across the 15 games played in December, Ovechkin produced an impressive tally of 13 goals while adding 9 assists, underscoring his scoring prowess and consistency. His most notable moments in December came with two historic goals that elevated him into a rarified tier of the game: his 800th NHL goal, followed by his 801st and 802nd goal sequences, which moved him past Gordie Howe on the all-time goals list and kept him within striking distance of Wayne Gretzky’s legendary record of 894 goals. These milestones were more than personal feats; they reinforced Ovechkin’s status as one of the greatest scorers in NHL history.
December also showcased his all-around value. He ranked second in the league for shots on goal with 71 attempts, illustrating his relentless offensive pressure. He finished the month third in total points with 22 and stood third in the league’s plus-minus metric, posting a tidy +12. Ovechkin found the back of the net in 11 of the 15 December appearances, and he delivered two hat tricks across seven games, underscoring his ability to affect multiple shifts in a single night.
The calendar’s closing days sealed a dramatic note for the season. On the last day of December, as celebrations for the coming year began on both sides of the Atlantic, Ovechkin added the 30th hat trick of his illustrious career and pushed his NHL goal total to 806. His contributions helped the Capitals deliver a dominant victory on the road, defeating their opponent by a wide margin with a final score that reflected the potency of the team’s offense and Ovechkin’s unmatched finish in critical moments.
Alongside the Capitals’ standout, other top performers were spotlighted for the month. Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers earned the second star of December for his exceptional play, while Teige Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres earned third star recognition for his contributions. These selections reflected the broader landscape of a highly competitive league, where a handful of players maintained elite production through the holiday stretch.
Reflecting on the season’s arc, observers note that Ovechkin’s December exploits capped a remarkable chapter in a career defined by longevity, scoring touch, and sensational finishes. A former striker for the Russian national team, Maxim Sushinsky, commented on the enduring impact of Ovechkin’s December feats and framed the sequence of goals as a significant New Year’s moment that resonated beyond North American audiences. The collective sentiment is that December 2024 reinforced Ovechkin’s legacy while energizing Capitals fans for the year ahead, as the team continued to pursue a competitive run with his leadership and scoring firepower guiding the way.