Athletistic/Hockey. Washington forward Alexander Ovechkin scored another feat. This time the Russian broke one of the legendary Wayne Gretzky’s records.

Earlier, the forward helped the Capitals defeat the Boston Bruins with a score of 3:0, scoring into an empty net in the final seconds of the match. This is Ovechkin’s 57th goal in his NHL career, which is the greatest goal in league history. Gretzky has 56.

Coming out of the penalty box, the Russian helped preserve the capital’s 2:0 lead in a 5-on-6 game. He passed the puck over the boards and rushed towards the Bruins goal, after he skillfully sent it into the empty net, putting the final score on the scoreboard.

Ovechkin, 38, is having a good time in the second part of the 2023/24 season. The Russian has scored in four consecutive games and now has 12 goals to his name. It seems that Alexander is finding his game again. The Russian striker has 15 goals in his last 14 matches.

Ovechkin’s goal was the 834th of his North American career, and he needs 61 more to pass Wayne Gretzky as the all-time leading scorer in NHL history.

The best empty-net goals record is just one of many records Alexander already holds in the goal-scoring department. His 304 power play goals are the most in the NHL, and he also has the most power play goals of any player on a single team in the league.

Interestingly, in the NHL, Ovechkin scored all types of goals, except one – behind the net.

Here’s how Ovechkin’s game was rated by NHL fans on social media:

@Kira77Xeno:

– He plays so happily! After the break, he controls the puck with a million times more confidence. It’s nice to see that.

@Hmartin1015:

– Wayne shook again.

@BsWan:

– You will need 60 more empty washers! We believe!

@qatez:

– I think he will become the leading sniper in league history. Ovi is determined.

@carlosalmeida00:

– He will rise to the top, gnawing and gnawing at the goals!

@JustinnZamora:

– The Big Eight don’t give up! I have no doubt he will surpass Gretzky despite his modest goal total this season.

@Rustang80:

– Sports science and new technologies will support him until he breaks the record. Gretzky had no such opportunities.

@bernstein_brian:

– This might be his best game this season, from start to finish. Keep it up, Big Eight!

@fandare32:

– One washer per vacuum. This is the most boring chase ever.

@DCsportsXP:

– Ovi’s goal + victory = euphoria

@deacs97:

– The threat of an empty goal strikes again!

@FightforWAS:

– This record won’t be remembered in 100 years, but congratulations.

@jaxhockey:

– The trip to Dubai helped him!

Ovechkin is the winner of the 2018 Stanley Cup. Three-time world champion (2008, 2012, 2014). He began his professional career with Dynamo Moscow at the age of 16. He was selected first overall by Washington in the 2004 draft.

He made his NHL debut in the 2005-2006 season, receiving the Calder Trophy for best rookie. He won the Maurice Richard Trophy for best sniper nine times, the Ted Lindsay Award and the Hart Trophy for most valuable player three times and the Art Ross Trophy for top scorer of the season.

In 2018, he led Washington to the first Stanley Cup victory in club history, becoming the tournament’s most valuable player and the first Russian hockey player to win the Stanley Cup as captain of the team.

Ovechkin became the first Russian hockey player to score 500, 600, 700 and 800 goals during regular NHL championships. He is the record holder among Russian hockey players for the number of goals scored and points scored in the NHL championships. He also leads career goals among active NHL players. His goal against the Phoenix Coyotes on January 16, 2006 was recognized as the best in NHL history according to ESPN.

Ovechkin made his debut for the Russian national team at the age of 17, becoming the youngest player in its history. He participated in thirteen world championships, became a three-time world champion (2008, 2012, 2014) and also participated in three Olympic Games (2006, 2010 and 2014).

Andrey Andreev, Sport.Ru


@sportru