So. Alex Ovechkin has scored his 40th goal of the season.

Guess from where.

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The captain himself drew the penalty, a trip from Hampus Lindholm. The power play was just one second from expiring when John Carlson’s pass found the Ovi spot.

Ducks goalie Ryan Miller didn’t stand a chance.

There was hugging.

Just 59 games into the season, Ovechkin has hit the 40-goal mark again. It’s the 10th time he’s gotten here, joining the company of just three other NHL players: Wayne Gretzky, who did 12 times; and Marcel Dionne and Mario Lemieux, who did it 10 seasons.

Make it another 40-goal season for Alex Ovechkin.@ovi8 is first to hit the mark yet again, reaching it two weeks earlier than he did last season. #NHLStats pic.twitter.com/XUjIz4vW5E

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) February 18, 2019

Ovechkin has a four-goal lead on Buffalo’s Jeff Skinner in the Rocket Richard race.

Alex Ovechkin — Games played needed to reach 40 goals

2005-06: 59
2006-07: 70
2007-08: 52
2008-09: 55
*2009-10: 51
2013-14: 54
2014-15: 64
2015-16: 58
2017-18: 65
2018-19: 58

*Scored 50 goals in 72 games.

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) February 18, 2019

Full RMNB Coverage of Caps at Ducks

Headline photo: @NHL