You guys, the NHL goals race is getting uncomfortably tight.
A week after Alex Ovechkin was projected to be the only player to hit 50 goals this season, John Tavares and Leon Draisaitl had career-best games on consecutive nights, narrowing the Russian machine’s goal lead.
Tavares’ four goals
On Monday night, Tavares scored four goals in the Toronto Maple Leafs 7-5 win over the Florida Panthers. That brought Tavares’ goal total to 45, a career high and his first-ever four-goal game. He also become the first Leafs player in 25 years to score 45 goals or more in a season.
Draisaitl’s hat trick
Who needs goalies, right? Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Draisaitl both recorded hat-tricks on Tuesday night to bring the Edmonton Oilers to a 8-4 win over the LA Kings. The last time that happened in the Oilers franchise was in 1985, also against the Kings. Draisaitl also has a career high in goals and an impressive 99 points in the season.
Here are the goal totals as of Wednesday morning.
| Players | Goals |
| Alex Ovechkin | 49 |
| Leon Draisaitl | 46 |
| John Tavares | 45 |
| Patrick Kane | 41 |
| Steven Stamkos | 41 |
Ovechkin finally scored his 49th on Tuesday night against the Hurricanes, after being held scoreless for four consecutive games (though not for lack of trying.) He’s looking to score 50 goals for the eighth time in his career.
Ovechkin has won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy for leading the league in goals seven times in his career.
Keep the pedal to the metal, Ovi. Make it a great 8.
Headline photo: NHL
