Alexander Ovechkin continues to amaze with performance in the current NHL regular season.
In a 3-4 OT away game against Vegas, the Washington captain scored twice to equal Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy in the most seasons with 50 or more goals — the trio now have nine.
In addition, the Russian became the first league hockey player who managed to score fifty goals in a season at the age of 36.
Until this day, Teemu Selanne's 48 goals in the regular season-2006/07 were the best indicator.
And the oldest player who reached the mark of 50 goals was previously Johnny Bucik.
He was 35 years and 308 days old when the record was set, an achievement that has stood since 1971.
Now Ovechkin has 780 career goals in the NHL.
He is 21 goals behind Gordie Howe and 114 behind Gretzky's "eternal" record.
In addition, after the game with Vegas, the forward who scored three points broke into the top twenty NHL scorers of all time.
The Russian ousted Dale Hawerchuk from the 20th line: Alexander now has 1410 (780 + 630) points, the Canadian has 1409 (518 + 891).
And the captain of the Capitals became the fourth player in league history to score goals against 160 different goaltenders.
The leaders in this indicator are Jaromir Jagr (178), Patrick Marlo (177) and Mark Messier (164).
In the reporting match with the Golden Knights, Ovechkin was close to scoring already in the first period, but the puck did not cross the goal line after his powerful shot, and Evgeny Kuznetsov turned out to be the quickest to finish off everyone.
In the second game segment, already a native of Chelyabinsk, when leaving two on one, assisted the captain, who this time easily sent the puck into the goal.
And in the third period, when Washington was losing 2:3, Alexander took advantage of a magnificent pass from another compatriot, Dmitry Orlov, and “flashed” the goalkeeper with a throw from the blue line, moving the meeting into overtime.
The Capitals still lost in this match, missing in overtime, but this did not overshadow Ovechkin's joy at a new achievement.
After the meeting, he noted that he was glad to be in an excellent company of champions, and thanked his teammates from the bottom of his heart.
“As I always say, without my teammates and line partners, these successes and achievements would not have been possible.
Therefore - thanks!
I am satisfied, ”the official website of the NHL quoted Ovechkin as saying.
The fact that the captain of the Capitals is not only a great player, but also an extraordinary person is evidenced by a memorable moment with his participation, which occurred in the middle of the first period.
Golden Knights forward Max Pacioretti lightly grabbed Ovechkin by the sweater in the middle zone, after which he was on the ice.
The judges immediately stopped the game and "lit" the removal.
However, the Russian showed true nobility, showing that he fell himself, and there is no need to punish the American.
As a result, the arbitrators canceled their decision, and the game continued in equal compositions.
After the match, even the rivals scattered in compliments to the Russian.
So, the defender of “Vegas” Alec Martinez called Ovechkin one of the most incredible talents of all time.
“He is a player of a generation.
What he did on the ice is just incredible.
These guys really develop the game and attract people to it.
People want to watch him play.
It is a great honor for me to play against him, ”said the American.
And Washington's coach Peter Laviolette emphasized Alexander's huge contribution to the team's game and paid tribute to his performance, which is not affected by the hockey player's age.
“Alex played very strong today.
The contribution he makes to the game is an example for the whole team.
Again, 50 goals is an amazing achievement.
I think that the achievements that he shows now in his career, being such an experienced player, is something special, ”said the specialist.
It's Ovechkin's astounding performance in his 30s that makes you believe he could one day break Gretzky's record.
The legendary Canadian himself has never crossed the mark of 40 goals in a season since his 31st birthday.
The Russian, on the other hand, seemed to have found a second youth.
Since he was 30, he has scored more than 45 goals in five of his seven seasons, and only the pandemic prevented him from reaching the fifty dollars in 2020.
At the time the regular season was stopped, Alexander had 48 goals.
Advisor to the head coach of the Russian national team Valery Kamensky, commenting on Ovechkin's new achievement, said that next season the Russian will catch up with Gordie Howe.
“I think that he will be able to score 50 goals for the 12th time in a season to become an absolute record holder.
This is a huge love for hockey, a huge physical work.
Skill, talent and family atmosphere in the team.
All this is summed up and leads to such a result, ”the Championship specialist quotes.
Honored coach of Russia Vladimir Krikunov suggested that the amazing performance of the Russian striker is due to the fact that he was seriously determined to break Gretzky's record.
At the same time, the expert did not agree that Ovechkin could experience a sudden physical decline due to age.
“He trained the year before last with us.
I'll say he's a machine.
It is unlikely that there will be any decline, ”Krikunov said.
And two-time Olympic champion Alexander Kozhevnikov, in turn, congratulated his compatriot on his achievement and called him a real scorer.
“Alexander himself knows how much he needs to throw.
The team is helping him.
He is one of the greatest scorers in NHL history.
He has no equal now, this is 100%, ”the famous hockey player emphasized.