“I do not intend to slow down in the new season”: Ovechkin came out on top in the NHL in goals in opening matches

In North America, five matches started the regular championship of the National Hockey League (NHL). One of the main characters of the gaming day was the captain of the Washington Capitals Alexander Ovechkin. His away team beat St. Louis Blues 3–2, and the striker was the first Russian to distinguish himself in the new season.

The meeting began extremely unsuccessfully for the guests. They missed twice from the current champion in the first eight minutes. However, then they managed to take control of the game in their own hands. The score for the goals of the capital's team in the new season was opened by Ovechkin, who outwitted the guardian and sent the ball into the goal of Jordan Binnington with a wrist throw.

In the second period, “Washington” equalized due to an accurate shot from the blue line of another Russian - defender Dmitry Orlov, and the victory was brought to the team by a maneuver with a shift in the opponent's zone of Yakub Vrana in overtime.

In total, Ovechkin spent 23 minutes 50 seconds on the ice and was marked by five throws. He was recognized as the second star of the match with St. Louis. In addition, the current goal brought the striker another achievement. He took the first place among the current NHL hockey players in the number of goals scored in the opening matches of the regular season - 11. The second place in this list is taken by the Minnesota Wild striker Zach Paris (10).

Commenting on the outcome of the match, the captain lamented for a large number of unrealized moments.

“Of course, in the first match of the season you make mistakes, but it seems to me that our three played confidently and had a lot of moments. I think with each game we will add more and more. I also had good chances to score a goal, ”the striker shared his impressions of the match.

The puck into the gates of “St. Louis” became for Ovechkin 659th in the NHL. Former Canadian hockey player Paul Bissonett suggested that the successful start of the season will give an impetus to the Russians to conquer new performance records.

“Well, it seems Ovi has no intention of slowing down this season,” Bissonett wrote on Twitter.

It is interesting that on the eve of the start of the regular season, the captain of Washington admitted that he does not think about overcoming the mark of 700 goals, although he does not exclude the possibility that this can happen this season.

“Let's see how it goes. The closer I get to this goal, the more I will pay attention to it and think about it. It’s too early now. Of course, this is important. I want to leave my name in these records for a long time, right? If I am in the top ten, it will be excellent, if in the top five it is generally wonderful. Gretzky's record? Nothing new here. He is still too far away, ”the league’s official website quotes the forward.

In addition, Alexander praised his readiness for the new season.

“I know that it is impossible to get 100% ready for the start of the season. You need to have 75%, and during the championship to collect the missing ones and go to the playoffs in better shape, ”Ovechkin added.

The professionalism of the Russians was once again appreciated by specialists. So, the experts of the NHL Network television network made up the traditional rating of the best NHL players, in which he took sixth place. The Canadian forward Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid is in the lead.

Meanwhile, the 2019/20 season may be the last in the Capitals for the Swedish striker Niklas Beckstrom, who joined the team in 2010. The 31-year-old hockey player himself admitted that he would like to end his career in this particular team, but at the moment he has no certainty on this issue.

In turn, Ovechkin emphasized that the Swede deserves to sign a new contract.

“I think that what we have done for the city and for the team will remain forever, right? I hope that Beckstrom will sign a new long-term contract and remain in the club until the end of his career. In Washington, he made a name for himself, and it seems to me that in other teams he will not be so much fun. Our job is to play hockey. Let's see what happens in a year or two. Now we just want to have fun. We know what we can do on ice, and this is the most important thing, ”the captain of the Washington Post quotes.