ARLINGTON, Va. — Throughout hockey history, Wayne Gretzky was so dominant from behind the net that his prowess earned the area the nickname “Gretzky’s office.” His ability to assist led to him accumulating more assists than anyone else in NHL history has total points. Equally impressive in modern hockey, Alex Ovechkin has established a similar legacy with his exceptional one-timer from the left faceoff circle on the power play, which many call “the Ovizoid,” thanks to former goalie Eddie Lack.
While Gretzky’s record of 894 goals is within Ovechkin’s reach, the latter’s skill lies not just in a single shot. Over his two decades of play, Ovechkin has demonstrated an array of scoring techniques. His ability to adapt has made him a scoring threat from numerous positions on the rink, even in his 20th NHL season. In addition to holding the record for most career power-play goals and empty-netters, Ovechkin is close to surpassing Gretzky’s total goals tally. Ovechkin’s adaptability and understanding of evolving strategies, coupled with his intelligence and creativity, have kept him successful as the league continues to change.
NHL Edge data reveals that Ovechkin has taken shots from 15 of 16 offensive zone quadrants and has found the back of the net from 11 of them. This demonstrates his ability to deceive opponents and exploit goalies from various angles. Notably, he’s scored against a record 181 different goaltenders, continuing to add names to the list each season.
“His ability to shoot with such force and precision from multiple positions makes things difficult for goalies,” said Logan Thompson, a new teammate with the Washington Capitals, remarking on Ovechkin’s unpredictability. With no foolproof method to stop him, defenders must constantly adapt their strategies depending on the play, especially given Ovechkin’s 320 power-play goals—46 more than any other player.
Even at even strength, where nearly 500 of Ovechkin’s 884 goals have come from, players find it hard to predict his movements. Ottawa defender Nick Jensen, who spent various seasons alongside Ovechkin, calls his scoring prowess “a phenomenon.” Ovechkin’s consistent excellence has defied expectations for years, leaving opponents and analysts alike in awe.
Ovechkin once again hit the 30-goal mark this season, marking the 19th time in his career he’s achieved this feat. His success is a significant factor in the Capitals’ status as league contenders. Skating with younger linemates Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas, Ovechkin excels as they assist in facilitating his scoring opportunities. According to Strome, who has assisted many of Ovechkin’s recent goals, “He can pretty much get his shot off anywhere.”
Although missing 16 games this season due to a broken leg, Ovechkin remains impressive with his shot success. He’s currently scoring at a career-high shooting percentage of 18.1 percent, underscoring his enduring quality and accuracy over sheer quantity. NHL statistics indicate Ovechkin has employed seven different shot types, contributing to his diverse scoring methods.
Veteran defenseman Karl Alzner points out that unpredictability makes Ovechkin particularly hard to defend. Despite his vast experience, Ovechkin continues to evolve his game, making it challenging for opponents to devise conclusive defense strategies. With 64 all-time empty-net goals, Ovechkin surpasses Gretzky’s former record of 56, emphasizing the strategic importance of his gameplay even in 5 on 6 situations.
As Ovechkin inches closer to breaking Gretzky’s record, teammates and fans alike wonder how he will achieve the historic No. 895. Protas, speaking on the topic, noted how any goal, regardless of style, would be significant. Regardless of the method, the milestone will mark a momentous achievement in hockey history.
