Washington, D.C. – After just nine matches into the current season, Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is on a scoring pace that has the potential to see him surpass Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL goal record before the postseason arrives.
Ovechkin netted his 858th career goal during a game against the Montreal Canadiens, placing him just 37 goals shy of breaking the legendary Gretzky’s record, a feat that had previously seemed nearly impossible.
At the beginning of this season, he needed 42 goals to reach that milestone.
“He’s been fantastic,” remarked his linemate Aliaksei Protas, who also scored with Ovechkin’s assistance in a decisive 6-3 victory.
“The excitement he shows after scoring makes you feel like it’s his very first NHL goal, especially since he’s pursuing such a remarkable record.”
The 39-year-old forward has already achieved five goals this season, demonstrating an ability to score that is unprecedented among players of his age in the NHL’s history.
“Just looking at him, you can see that he is genuinely happy to be playing, celebrating every goal like it’s an important milestone,” Protas added.
“That’s what separates him as an exceptional talent and scorer; his determination to find the back of the net is clear.”
With this latest goal, Ovechkin has now scored against 176 different goalkeepers throughout his career.
He is on track for what would be his 19th season with over 30 goals, adding to a record that already stands as the highest in NHL history.
Following his impressive three-point outing against Montreal, Ovechkin credited Protas and center Dylan Strome for their support in creating scoring opportunities.
“You know, I’ve even seen some empty-netters,” Ovechkin said. “Those guys (Strome and Protas) are great at finding me out there, and sometimes it feels like I might even miss the shot!”
Ovechkin and the Capitals are enjoying one of their best starts in several years, having secured wins in seven of their first nine games—their best performance since the 2015-16 season.
“Right now, we’re really having fun,” Ovechkin stated. “There’s mutual support among us. Winning creates an atmosphere that comes from both the coaches and the players. I truly hope that this continues. But at the same time, we understand it’s a long season ahead, filled with ups and downs, and we must stay united through whatever challenges arise.”