Ovechkin's March Toward History
As another NHL season unfolds, Alexander Ovechkin finds himself on the cusp of etching his name into history. At 39 years old, the Washington Capitals' stalwart sniper is 34 goals away from surpassing Wayne Gretzky's legendary all-time record of 894 career goals. Entering the 2024-25 season, Ovechkin needed 33 goals to tie the record, and with his current form, this quest seems ever so possible.
A Historic Run
Ovechkin has kicked off the campaign with a remarkable streak, scoring in five consecutive games—a feat not accomplished by a player aged 39 or older since Jaromir Jagr in 2013. His recent performances against the Montreal Canadiens and the Columbus Blue Jackets were particularly notable; he delivered consecutive three-point games, making him only the fourth player in NHL history to achieve such at his age.
With a tally of four goals and five assists over just four games, Ovechkin's impact has been both profound and decisive. His 130th career game-winning goal, scored against the Nashville Predators, not only secured his team's victory but also brought him closer to the all-time leader, Jagr, who holds 135 game-winning goals.
Other Standout Performances
Elsewhere in the league, other players like Martin Necas and Quinn Hughes have been making significant contributions to their respective teams. Necas, from the Carolina Hurricanes, has taken the lead in goals, points, assists, and power-play assists for his team. Recently, he has scored three goals and six assists in three games, including a crucial game-clinching goal against the Flyers with just 29.3 seconds left.
Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks has also been in impressive form, scoring a goal and managing five assists in recent fixtures. Hughes now ranks third in the league for points, trailing only Cale Makar and Josh Morrissey.
Jets' Lightning Start
The Winnipeg Jets are enjoying a sensational start to their season with an electrifying 13-1-0 run. Averaging 4.5 goals per game, the Jets have been a force to reckon with on offense. Their goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck, has been pivotal to this run, claiming an NHL-best record of 10 wins.
Hellebuyck's performance has been nothing short of stellar. He boasts a 1.91 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage, with an even more remarkable .967 save percentage against unblocked shots. Hellebuyck has also registered multiple shutouts this season, including a standout performance where he stopped 35 shots against the Colorado Avalanche for a narrow 1-0 victory. In three of his last four games, he has conceded two goals or less, underscoring his defensive prowess.
The Path Forward
As Ovechkin continues his pursuit of Gretzky's record, all eyes remain glued to the ice to see if he can maintain this formidable pace of scoring. Projected to potentially score 55 goals this season, his march toward history is a testament to his enduring skill and tenacity. Whether or not he surpasses the Great One, Ovechkin's remarkable career is a narrative of excellence that continues to captivate the hockey world.