Alex Ovechkin became the third player in NHL history to score 20 goals in 19 consecutive seasons on Monday.
The veteran Washington forward scored two power-play goals in the second period to lead the Capitals to a 5-2 victory over the hometown Calgary Flames.
“Consistency. Not just from the scoring part but also him being in the lineup and being durable and him being able to play game after game after game all these years,” said Washington head coach Spencer Carbery.
“We needed every single bit of those two goals tonight to get us in front and to be able to play from in front because you could tell early on we had zero legs and mentally some of the puck decisions, plays, it was uncharacteristic.”
Gordie Howe (22 straight seasons) and Brendan Shanahan (19 straight seasons) are the only others to achieve the impressive scoring feat. But Ovechkin is the first to do from the start of his NHL career.
“There’s not many things that hasn’t been said about him, but he keeps doing it, even at age 38. It’s fun to be a part of, fun to watch,” said Dylan Strome, who scored the opening goal.
Ovechkin’s 20th goal made it 2-0 at 5:58 of the second. Ovechkin went to the net where he neatly deflected in a hard centring pass from Max Pacioretty. After pumping his arms in celebration, Ovechkin immediately looked over at his teammate and pointed, acknowledging the terrific pass.
For the 19th straight season, Alex Ovechkin has scored at least 20 goals! 💪<br><br>📺: <a href=”https://twitter.com/Sportsnet?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@Sportsnet</a> or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ <a href=”https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1″>https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1</a> <a href=”https://t.co/3cEeSzDkeg”>pic.twitter.com/3cEeSzDkeg</a>
—@NHL
Just over three minutes later, Washington’s red-hot power play struck again, this time it was vintage Ovechkin. Set up at the top of the faceoff circle, stick cocked. When John Carlson slid a pass across, Ovechkin leaned into a one-time slapper that went off the stick of Rasmus Andersson and past rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf.
48-goal pace since all-star break
“That’s a hell of a hockey player over there. He had a couple of good chances. But it’s pretty cool to say you stopped a few,” said Wolf.
Ovechkin has 12 goals in 20 games since the NHL all-star break after scoring just nine times in 44 games before that.
Alex Ovechkin now only needs 52 goals to beat Wayne Gretzky’s record👀 <a href=”https://t.co/C0FVwQyawb”>pic.twitter.com/C0FVwQyawb</a>
—@EHClothing
Up to 843 goals for his career, second all time, Ovechkin is now 51 behind Wayne Gretzky’s record.
“We’re all cheering for him,” said Hendrix Lapierre, who also had a goal for the visitors. “It was two really big goals tonight, too. We’re just super happy for him and we’re just trying to help him in this chase. He’s looking pretty damn good. He was the spark we needed tonight.”
Tom Wilson (empty netter) also scored for Washington (33-25-9). The Capitals, with their third straight win, moved into the second wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference, one point up on the idle Detroit Red Wings.
“We know it’s not going to be easy. We keep fighting, keep playing,” said Ovechkin. “We still can do it. We’re still in the battle. Every point counts.”
It’s the first time the Capitals have occupied a playoff spot since Jan. 2.
Kevin Rooney and MacKenzie Weegar scored for Calgary (33-30-5). The Flames finished 2-2-0 on their four-game home stand.