Ovechkin is just 20 goals behind Gordie Howe
As they say in hockey journalism, “the morning will be good if Alexander Ovechkin scores”. It is immediately traffic, news, movement. And then the captain of “Washington” scored two goals at once!
It happened in a home game against Vancouver, which is coached by Bruce Boudreau. He led the Capitals in the 2000s, and under him Ovechkin had his most productive seasons. Curiously, Boudreau’s 600th NHL win was expected that night, but Alexander and Washington had other plans for it.
Ovechkin opened the scoring 56 seconds into the game. Canucks forward Brock Beser was ejected for a dangerous play with a high stick, and Alexander the Great scored his classic goal from the left faceoff circle. Granted, this time Ovi didn’t hit a killer click, but launched weakly from below and cunningly. But there, the puck entered the goal of an opponent who did not expect such a dirty trick.
Ovechkin also closed the scoring in that game by replacing a stick with a long-range shot from Evgeny Kuznetsov. In general, Kuzya had a wonderful game, giving three assists. And Ovi didn’t always play with him. We saw the Ovechkin – Kuznetsov – Conor Sheary trio. And there was also an Ovechkin – Dylan Stroum – Connor Brown connection, when Kuznetsov played with Anthony Manta and TJ Oshie. That is, the head coach of “Washington” Peter Laviolette during the game was looking. Also, in the third period, Brown left the ice with a lower body injury.
Total Ovechkin in this meeting he scored a monstrous 4 points (2+2) and once again responded to his detractors, who now blame him for an inexpressive start to the season.
And let’s not forget that Ovi has already scored the 782nd goal of his career, closing in on second place in goals in NHL history, still held by the legendary Gordie Howe (801).
The key word is “again”. Because Ovechkin could beat Elbow Howe this season. All you need is 20 pucks.
Who are the best shooters in the NHL?
Stats buffs should know that Ovechkin played in the 159th NHL game, in which he scored at least one goal. And it’s the 398th game in the NHL where he has scored at least one point. Also, for the 31st time in his NHL career, he scored at least four points in one game. In other words, it happened several times, dozens of times.
And let’s not forget that Ovechkin is only 112 goals behind Wayne Gretzky (894) – the NHL’s all-time leader.
Also, after those four points, Ovechkin (1415) broke into the top 20 of the NHL’s all-time leading scorers, managing to pass Doug Gilmour (1414). But it is also a great success.
Moreover, the statistics have even immortalized the first goal of Alexander the Great, scored in the 56th second. They calculated it to be Ovechkin’s 11th career goal, abandoned in the first minute of the game. Only five people in NHL history have scored more such goals in the first minute: Sidney Crosby and Mark Messier (13 each), Dave Taylor, Phil Esposito and Gordie Howe (12 each).
Here they are, the leading fast shooters in NHL history.
Well, and another interesting thing: Ovechkin has already scored 23 points (11 + 12) in 14 games against teams coached by Bruce Boudreau. This is how he warmly greets his former coach every time.
Ovechkin: I scored the first goal for luck, I was lucky there
It should also be noted that “Washington” after two periods was inferior with the score 2:4, but in the end won a voluntary victory.
“Obviously in the first games of the season we had good chances,” Ovechkin said. But even now look – the first goal was scored for luck. It was lucky there, but in such a situation, you just accept it and move on.
“We had a very good third period, coming back from a two-goal deficit,” said coach Laviolette. – It’s probably our best third period this year, especially judging by the way we’ve shown ourselves in attack. We were constantly on the offensive and pushing.”
Speaking of Vancouver and Boudreau. The Canucks became the first team in NHL history to lead by multiple goals in the first three games of a season, but to lose. After the match, Bruce held a closed meeting for the players. And we know how he can swear.
“I think a good assessment of what’s going on is a mental weakness,” Boudreau said. “Usually when you’re in the lead, you’re on your feet and waiting for something good to happen. And we, in our situation, lead the charge and wait for something bad to happen. »
“It’s been like this for three games in a row. It’s unacceptable on our part,” added Vancouver captain Bo Horvath. “I consider myself responsible and each of us must play better.”
Canucks forward Andriy Kuzmenko had three shots on target and his first NHL assist. But that wasn’t enough for Vancouver to win.
And finally, completing the subject of Ovechkin: Wayne Gretzky has played 189 games with several goals in his career. Alexander Ovechkin is second behind him (159). It can also bypass the tall Canadian in this indicator.
There is an interesting tradition this season after the Washington games. The best player first receives a kind of ship’s rope tightly woven into a pigtail. This is such an analogue of our bicycle broom, which can only be broken by a straw. And here is a tightly woven and tangled rope, which symbolizes the unity of the team.
And then the man of the match pulls out the hand dynamometer. This time, of course, captain Alexander Ovechkin received such an honor. He got to his feet and squeezed the dyno to post a season-high number, from which the entire Washington locker room screamed at the top of their voices.
So – Ovechkin is already 37 years old, and he is still the strongest and most motivated. Genuine Russian bear.
Source : MatchTV
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
