Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin broke the NHL record for power play goals in dramatic fashion on Friday evening.
His one-timer from above the circle beat Detroit goalie Thomas Greiss with 2:51 left in the game — and only a second (or maybe less) remaining on the power play. It was the 275th of his career, passing Dave Andreychuk.
Ovechkin would add an empty-net goal to seal Washington’s 3-1 win.
The record-breaking goal was vintage. Nobody has ever shot the puck as well as Ovechkin. He’s overpowering. He’s accurate. He finds ways to get open. He gets his shots through traffic.
Even though you know the puck will eventually funnel to him and have seen him score in this way hundreds of times, it’s somehow surprising:
Alex Ovechkin (@ovi8) making history just in time! ⏳ pic.twitter.com/gyZRmiKQAM
— NHL (@NHL) January 1, 2022
What a beauty.
Ovechkin is 36 years old and playing some of the best hockey of his career:
My last tweet of 2021 is going to be Alex Ovechkin’s 82-game pace this season. Happy New Year!
•60 goals
•65 assists
•77 5v5 points
•388 shots on goal
•750 shot attempts— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) January 1, 2022
Ovechkin continues to race up the all-time goal list, too. He needs 12 goals to match Jaromir Jagr for third place (766) and 47 to reach Gordie Howe in second (801). Wayne Gretzky holds the all-time record at 894, a mark that once seemed untouchable given the improved goaltending and focus on defensive-oriented systems in this era.
But Ovechkin just keeps scoring. It’s remarkable. And, also, he’s very chill.
Hear from the man of the hour, the game, and the calendar year 2021.
Alex Ovechkin speaks on the win and breaking the all-time power play goals record!!! pic.twitter.com/H90891vhe4
— NBC Sports Capitals (@NBCSCapitals) January 1, 2022
“Yeah, it’s a pretty cool place to be, obviously.”
Thanks, Ovi.
