Ovi makes history with another 50-goal season


Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin scored his 49th and 50th goals of the season in a 4-3 overtime loss at the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday night, hitting a milestone that he has seemingly made look easy year after year.

Vegas coach Peter DeBoer pulled starting goalie Robin Lehner after the first period and turned to Logan Thompson. Ovechkin wasted no time in introducing himself to the rookie netminder when he one-timed Evgeny Kuznetsov’s cross-ice pass to put Washington ahead 2-1 at 2:57 of the second period.

Ovechkin then got his 50th of the season and career No. 780 when he skated down the right side and blasted a shot that Thompson had no chance to keep up with, tying the game at 3 with 6:24 left.

It marked the ninth time in his career that Ovechkin scored 50 goals, tying Mike Bossy and Wayne Gretzky for most in NHL history.

“Obviously, it’s pretty good company,” Ovechkin said. “Obviously, lots of great memories, locker room, everything, hotel. It’s gonna stay here forever. Yeah, pretty fun moments.”

EDITOR’S PICKS

NHL players, execs explain this season’s goal-scoring explosion
2dKristen Shilton and Greg Wyshynski

NHL Power Rankings: Stat of the season for every team
1hSachin Chandan

NHL playoff watch: Race for seeding continues in the East
2hTim Kavanagh
Moments including the one after his second goal on Wednesday, when a boisterous group of Capitals fans broke out with chants of “Ovi! Ovi! Ovi!” ringing loud and clear.

“Yeah, it’s pretty cool,” Ovechkin said. “We have lots of fans all over the place, and they came to see the game and they cheered for us, so thanks [to] them.”

Ovechkin, 36, is now the oldest player in NHL history to score 50 goals in a season. And he joined Phil Esposito as the only players with three 50-goal seasons at age 30 or older.

Since the Capitals star debuted in 2005-06, no one else has more than two 50-goal seasons in that span.

Ovechkin also continued his move up the league’s all-time scoring charts. Goal No. 780 put him 21 shy of Gordie Howe’s 801 for second-most all time. (Gretzky has the record of 894.)

“How good is Ovechkin? It’s unbelievable,” DeBoer said. “Two tonight, and he could’ve had another two. He looks like he’s 25 years old out there. He’s so dangerous. And as soon as they got behind by one, he started really looking for those openings behind us. And he found it a couple of times.

“They’re a tough team to defend, obviously because of him.”

The only negative for the Capitals and their star: The result was a loss.

Shea Theodore scored 2:09 into overtime, keeping the Golden Knights’ slim playoff hopes alive. Vegas has 89 points and is two back of the Dallas Stars for the second wild card in the Western Conference, and it trails the Los Angeles Kings by three in the Pacific Division.

Information from ESPN Stats & Information and The Associated Press was used in this report.

Got a story or tip for us? Email Sports Gossip editors at tips@sportsgossip.com 

Want More From Sports Gossip? 

For all the latest breaking Sports Gossip, be sure to follow SportsGossip.com on FacebookInstagram, and Twitter.

You can view the original article HERE.

N.Y. Assemblyman Introduces ‘Peanut’s Law,’ Says Investigation Request Ignored
N.Y. Assemblyman Introduces ‘Peanut’s Law,’ Says Investigation Request Ignored
‘B.M.F.’ Big Meech Gets Porcelain Veneers After Prison Bid
‘B.M.F.’ Big Meech Gets Porcelain Veneers After Prison Bid
How TV news anchors gear up for election night
How TV news anchors gear up for election night
NBA Reopens Jaxson Hayes Investigation After TMZ Video of 2021 Incident
NBA Reopens Jaxson Hayes Investigation After TMZ Video of 2021 Incident
Nothing Left to Prove: Quincy Jones (1933-2024) | Tributes
Nothing Left to Prove: Quincy Jones (1933-2024) | Tributes
Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol Ending, Explained
Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol Ending, Explained
Every TV Series Coming to Major Streaming Services in November 2024
Every TV Series Coming to Major Streaming Services in November 2024
The Unloved, Part 131: Dark City | MZS
The Unloved, Part 131: Dark City | MZS
I was crying at a certain point because I felt that I had hurt him
I was crying at a certain point because I felt that I had hurt him
Gina Zollman To Perform Her Show “ORI gina LS” At The Arthur Newman Theatre, Palm Desert, CA, Sunday 11/24/24
Gina Zollman To Perform Her Show “ORI gina LS” At The Arthur Newman Theatre, Palm Desert, CA, Sunday 11/24/24
Iggy Pop announces “landmark” 2025 London and Glasgow shows
Iggy Pop announces “landmark” 2025 London and Glasgow shows
Watch Fontaines D.C. sing Antonio Vega’s ‘Tesoros’ in Spanish in Madrid
Watch Fontaines D.C. sing Antonio Vega’s ‘Tesoros’ in Spanish in Madrid
The 3 Biggest Scandals in Sports History
The 3 Biggest Scandals in Sports History
Kiss918 on the Edge: Pushing the Boundaries of Digital Casino Innovation
Kiss918 on the Edge: Pushing the Boundaries of Digital Casino Innovation
Patriots’ Maye clears concussion protocol, will play vs. Titans
Patriots’ Maye clears concussion protocol, will play vs. Titans
Silver: NBA looking at ‘other formats’ for 2025 ASG
Silver: NBA looking at ‘other formats’ for 2025 ASG
The End Trailer Arrives for 2024’s Most Audacious Film
The End Trailer Arrives for 2024’s Most Audacious Film
Taylor Sheridan is Correct: Critics Have Become Irrelevant
Taylor Sheridan is Correct: Critics Have Become Irrelevant
Silence of the Lambs Influenced Daisy Ridley’s New Movie Magpie
Silence of the Lambs Influenced Daisy Ridley’s New Movie Magpie
Emilia Clarke’s ‘The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland’ Gets Release Date
Emilia Clarke’s ‘The Night Before Christmas in Wonderland’ Gets Release Date
Banana Republic’s Holiday Campaign, Burberry’s Stock Rises
Banana Republic’s Holiday Campaign, Burberry’s Stock Rises
The Best-Dressed Stars at LACMA Art + Film Gala 2024
The Best-Dressed Stars at LACMA Art + Film Gala 2024
Beauty Made In Italy Brings A Big Crowd To The West Hollywood EDITION Hotel
Beauty Made In Italy Brings A Big Crowd To The West Hollywood EDITION Hotel
The Best-Dressed Stars At The 2024 WSJ Innovator Awards
The Best-Dressed Stars At The 2024 WSJ Innovator Awards