Alex Ovechkin hits 700 career NHL goals!

[Zuluss]

More fun stats after today

OV has recorded his 110th career GWG and moved into 4th all-time (3-way tie with Brett Hull and Selanne). Road ahead: Esposito (118), Howe (121), Jagr (135).

OV also now leads the league in ES goals - tied with Matthews, 5 ahead of #3 (Eichel). So much for "he is no longer good at ES".

Also, today Ovechkin passed Jean Ratelle in career points and is currently 37th all-time (next up: Al MacInnis, 6 points away), though points are not as fun.

 

[pitcher]

More fun stats after today

OV has recorded his 110th career GWG and moved into 4th all-time (3-way tie with Brett Hull and Selanne). Road ahead: Esposito (118), Howe (121), Jagr (135).

OV also now leads the league in ES goals - tied with Matthews, 5 ahead of #3 (Eichel). So much for "he is no longer good at ES".

bro he only scores empty net from the left side on the powerplay

 

[kicksavedave]

bro he only scores empty net from the left side on the powerplay

Empty net goals while on the power play are an especially rare breed.

Its a defensive strategy most teams would not be able to pull off.

 

[ALLCAPSALLTHETIME]

Oh man, I remember Gretzky's last goal. He scored unassisted to beat the Islanders with two minutes left.

We're getting old.

Love Wayne. The GOAT.

Yeah, I remember him in the WHA. Getting old...

 

[Nsjohnson]

If I were Ovie I'd get as many goals as I possibly can regardless of fatigue going into the playoffs. He's got his Cup. He'll always be a beast in the PO's anyways.

I'd get as many goals this season and next and set yourself up to not have to have a few 40 goal seasons to beat #99. Get 60 and then 50 and then (I don't feel like doing the math) like 32, 30, 30, 28, 25. That's close enough I'm sure to even 900.

 

[Roshi]

Ovechkin will beat Gretzkys empty net record, that one is definitely gone for Wayne! Caps win almost every game so there will be plenty of chances for Ovie to play the last 3 minutes and put in one or two empty netters. Given how serious the Caps are about this, I think 900 goals will be reached if Ovie decides to keep on playing for a while. At 40+ Ovie could still be a PP specialist and then add empty netters, so there is no reason he can not do it.

Caps are so serious about this that they are intentionally Building just strong enough team to have one goal leads at the end of the game just to let Ovie feast on the empty net!

I think they have actually added a clausul to contracts that it is forbidden for anyone other than Ovie to score a goal if Caps is up by one at the last 10 minutes of the game.

 

[Komets Hockey]

OVI will beat Gretzky

 

[Chain Attack]

When Ovechkin entered the league, he was going toe-to-toe with the likes of Jaromir Jagr, Jarome Iginla and Teemu Selanne for the mantle of best goal scorer. The field was also stacked with young snipers like Ilya Kovalchuk, Danny Heatley and Rick Nash. For the first 5 years, Ovechkin established himself as the league’s top goal scorer. Then Stamkos entered the nhl, and for a few seasons anyway, the tide had turned and a new goal scoring king had been crowned. Many believed that Ovechkin’s best days were behind him. That’s why it felt oh so satisfying when Ovechkin started “roaring back”.

Today Ovechkin is competing with the likes of Matthews, Pastranak and Laine. The truth is that we all know he shouldn’t be, and we all know he can fall off the map at any time due to his age. That’s what makes this incredible run so special. He hasn’t fallen off the map, instead he has found a second gear in his pursuit of Gretzky’s record. Is there any doubt that he is the greatest goal scorer of all-time? I don’t think there is.

Ovechkin’s season by season nhl goal scoring rank:
4th, 4th, 1st, 1st, 2nd, 18th, 5th, 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 13th, 1st, 1st and currently 1st.

 

[BackToTheBasics]

I just feel bad for the individuals who are actively rooting against him and are enraged by each goal he scores. They're so blinded by hatred that they can't recognize that they will likely never see a player like this ever again.

 

[Nsjohnson]

Ovie should just keep scoring hatties, c'mon man, be smart.

 

[geoo9]

Ovie should just keep scoring hatties, c'mon man, be smart.

If he will continue to do that - hatties wouldnt count

 

[Colorado Avalanche]

Absolutely speechless.

14 goals in his last 7 games with 3 hat tricks.

His 11th 40 goal season.

Insane. This ******** guy.

 

[Khomutov]

I hope he scores his 700th on an empty net.

 

[geoo9]

I hope he scores his 700th on an empty net.

and 701 by hattie

 

[Bertuzzzi44]

OVI will beat Gretzky

I hope he does, but think it’s too difficult and is unlikely to happen.

 

[Claypool]

I hope he does, but think it’s too difficult and is unlikely to happen.

Because why?

 

[Tofveve]

I'm sad that I didn't believe in his ability to challenge Gretzky's record sooner. Though I think it will be tough still, Ovie is the first player that I believe has a decent chance to do it.

I have always thought his goal against Arizona is the GOAT goal, however. So I'll give myself credit for that.

 

[Herregud]

Because why?

Probably because it's difficult and unlikely. Says in the post.

There's no way you'll ever see me count Ovechkin out of anything, but the truth is, for as amazing a goal-scorer he is, getting nearly 200 more goals is going to be a superhuman task and barring some herculean seasons, he'll be sniffing 39-40 years old when/if he hits it. It's easier and more sensible to bet against it happening. Don't blame anyone for doing so. But that's what makes it all the more exciting, isn't it? It's no fun if everyone has zero doubt.

 

[Nsjohnson]

I looked at the Caps schedule.

There are as many as 18 or so games left against teams who aren't doing so hot, to teams that are downright terrible.

10 games against good opponents.

28 total games left for the Caps.

Ovechkin may score 20.

He may reach 60.

Tonight's hatty was a game changer. Fourth of the season. Is that the most in one season for him?

 

[Bertuzzzi44]

Because why?

Everything has to go according to plan to break Gretzky’s record, it’s possible but will be tough to do. OV has to keep up elite scoring levels for 4 more years, production can’t fall off a cliff in a couple years. Has to avoid injuries & lockouts, can’t retire early etc.

 

[Tofveve]

I think pretty much everyone here can't believe how ridiculous the pace has been overly the last while. It can't help but bring a smile. Effing ridiculous. Sooooooo sick.

 

[Nsjohnson]

Everything has to go according to plan to break Gretzky’s record, it’s possible but will be tough to do. OV has to keep up elite scoring levels for 4 more years, production can’t fall off a cliff in a couple years. Has to avoid injuries & lockouts, can’t retire early etc.

I think the two biggest obstacles are lockouts and injury.

If those stay away, it significantly increases his chances. Big time.

He will get another 35-50 next year. He may get 60 this year.

He can score after that 30-30-28...and then trickle in goals on the PP.

Again, if he can play 75-82 games a year for his 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 seasons, he breaks it I think.

 

[Fallschirmyager]

I hope he scores his 700th on an empty net.

If memory serves, his 400th was an empty net goal V the Canes

 

[SeanConn]

If Ovie plays until he's 41... 1000 goals.

 

[shtorm2005]

I looked at the Caps schedule.

There are as many as 18 or so games left against teams who aren't doing so hot, to teams that are downright terrible.

Terrible teams often play much better against Caps, because they're extra motivated to beat top team.