ARLINGTON, Va. — Wayne Gretzky mastered the art of controlling hockey games from behind the net so effortlessly that the area earned the nickname “Gretzky’s office.” His unparalleled ability to assist set a record that stands tall in NHL history. In a similar vein, Alex Ovechkin has stamped his authority on the game with his signature one-timer from the left faceoff circle during power plays—a position now famously dubbed the “Ovizoid” by retired goaltender Eddie Lack.
Much like Gretzky, whose formidable record of 894 goals Ovechkin is rapidly approaching, the essence of Ovechkin’s genius isn’t confined to one particular shot. His vast array of goal-scoring techniques has been exemplified throughout his extensive career, where he has established records for the most career power-play goals and most empty-net goals. Ovechkin’s adaptability and ingenuity have been the cornerstone of his enduring success, allowing him to score from more locations on the ice as he progresses through his 20th NHL season.
“Everyone talks about his spot, but he scores goals from everywhere,” remarked St. Louis coach Jim Montgomery. Having played against Gretzky in North America and briefly encountering a young Ovechkin in Russia, Montgomery is well acquainted with the brilliance of both players. “His intelligence and creativity are evident in his sustained success through the evolving dynamics of the league.” According to NHL Edge puck and player tracking data, Ovechkin has fired shots on goal from 15 of the 16 offensive zone quadrants, managing to score from 11 of them.
At 39, Ovechkin is achieving scoring feats at a rate seldom seen for someone his age, adeptly adapting to defensive formations and frequently outsmarting goalkeepers. He’s scored against a league-record 181 goalies, having added six more this season. “He shoots hard and can shoot through you, which makes it more challenging, particularly given the variety of angles,” observed Logan Thompson, a recent teammate of Ovechkin’s with the Washington Capitals, who was the 160th goaltender defeated by Ovechkin. “He always finds a way, leaving no clear method for stopping him.”
Defending Ovechkin presents a formidable challenge requiring adaptable strategies. While everyone anticipates his prowess during power plays—having scored 320 goals in such situations, putting him 46 ahead of his closest contender—even strength scenarios amplify the difficulty. With 495 of his 884 goals scored during these situations, defenders must continually monitor him, mindful of Ovechkin’s unpredictable timing and the surprising speed of his release, described by Blues goalie Jordan Binnington as “on-off.”
“Ovechkin’s ability to find the back of the net seems inexplicable, almost like a phenomenon,” said Ottawa defenseman Nick Jensen, who has both played alongside Ovechkin and contended against him on the Capitals. “He’s done it effectively for so long, it’s hard to rationalize.” This season alone, Ovechkin reached the 30-goal milestone for the nineteenth time—a record-setting achievement that underscores the Capitals’ standing among the league’s elite teams.
Thriving alongside dynamic, younger players like Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas, who concentrate on feeding him the puck, Ovechkin demonstrates his ability to score from virtually anywhere. “He manages to release his shot from any position,” noted Strome, who has assisted in numerous Ovechkin goals. This potent connection is further emphasized by Ovechkin’s staggering number of goal attempts, reinforcing his canonical status as the NHL player with the most shots on net in history.
Despite having missed 16 games due to a broken left leg, this season has been distinguished by Ovechkin’s remarkable shooting accuracy, scoring goals at an impressive career-best rate of 18.1 percent. His goal-scoring repertoire is remarkably varied, with the NHL highlighting that he’s executed seven different shot types—ranging from snap and wrist shots to backhanders and tips.
“Unpredictability is a significant asset,” pointed out retired defenseman Karl Alzner, a longtime former teammate and three-season competitor with Ovechkin. Despite years of accumulated experience, Ovechkin continues to innovate on the ice in ways defenders struggle to counteract.
Ovechkin also shares the league lead in empty-net goals with seven this season and holds the all-time record with 64, surpassing Gretzky’s 56. Capitals coach Spencer Carbery notes the expertise involved in scoring in such scenarios, attributing it to Ovechkin’s strategic foresight and rapid responses to game developments. “His intelligence allows him to anticipate the play and where the puck will be,” explained Carbery.
Poised to surpass Gretzky’s goal record potentially by April, Ovechkin’s teammates await the historic moment with eager anticipation. “While a one-timer would be fitting, any goal will be momentous,” Protas expressed. “No matter how it happens, it’s destined to be a remarkable occasion.”
