Washington Capitals’ iconic player, Alexander Ovechkin, has etched his name into the annals of hockey history by becoming the new record holder for career empty-net goals.
The seasoned veteran notched his 57th career open-net goal in a recent game, surpassing the legendary Wayne Gretzky’s previous milestone. Ovechkin’s pivotal goal, which occurred during the third period, propelled the Capitals to a commanding 3-0 victory over the Boston Bruins on Saturday.
This achievement further solidifies Ovechkin’s status among the greats of the game. Apart from Ovechkin and Gretzky, no other player has managed to score more than 40 empty-net goals.
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Notably, Gretzky reached his tally of 56 in 1,487 games, whereas Ovechkin accomplished the feat in 1,394 games, showcasing his remarkable prowess and longevity in the sport.
In addition to breaking the empty-net goal record, Ovechkin’s recent feat also marked his 834th career goal, placing him within striking distance of Gretzky’s legendary record of 894 goals.
While Ovechkin has notched 12 goals thus far this season, a slight dip from his impressive 42-goal performance last season, his impact on the ice remains undeniable.
Ovechkin’s dominance extends beyond empty-net goals, as he currently leads the NHL in all-time power-play goals with 304 and overtime goals with 26, further highlighting his versatility and scoring prowess.
Despite Ovechkin’s individual brilliance, the Capitals have faced challenges this season, currently sitting in seventh place in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 23-20-7. However, Saturday’s victory over the Bruins halted a six-game winless streak for Washington, providing a much-needed boost of confidence.
As they aim to build on this momentum, the Capitals will look to capitalize on a two-game home stand, with a matchup against the Vancouver Canucks slated for Sunday.
