Alex Ovechkin still must score 60 goals to catch Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals mark, but he took a less notable record from The Great One on Saturday.
In the Capitals’ 3-0 victory over the Boston Bruins, Ovechkin scored his 57th career empty-net goal, becoming the all-time leader in the category and passing Gretzky who scored 56 in his stupendous career.
Ovechkin’s tally came shortly after he came out of the penalty box late in the third period to seal the game.
Ovechkin picked off an errant Bruins pass in the Capitals zone and then sprung himself on a breakaway after banking the puck off the boards and passing it to himself in open space. Absorbing a hook from Hampus Lindholm, Ovechkin was caught by Charlie Coyle as he sprinted up the ice. But as he’s done so many times in his career, Ovechkin found a way to get the biscuit in the basket, pushing the puck with his left arm into the yawning net.
At the bench, Ovechkin let out a smile.
Ovechkin’s accomplishment is stunning. As of Saturday, February 10, 2024, only 10 players have scored more than 30 empty-net goals in their careers. Brad Marchand (34), Eric Staal (33), and Sidney Crosby (32), Blake Wheeler (31), and Zach Parise (30) are the only other active players who have done so.
Most empty-net goals, NHL history
| Player | Empty-net Goals | Games Played |
|---|---|---|
| Alex Ovechkin | 57 | 1,394 |
| Wayne Gretzky | 56 | 1,487 |
| Marian Hossa | 40 | 1,309 |
| Brad Marchand | 34 | 999 |
| Eric Staal | 33 | 1,365 |
| Mario Lemieux | 33 | 915 |
| Sidney Crosby | 32 | 1,238 |
| Jarome Iginla | 32 | 1,554 |
| Blake Wheeler | 31 | 1,170 |
| Zach Parise | 30 | 1,227 |
After an uncharacteristically slow start to the season, Ovechkin has harnessed his #CamelPower and returned from the All-Star break a different player, scoring in four-straight games.
THE #GR8-EST EMPTY NET GOAL-SCORER OF ALL-TIME#ALLCAPS | @LeidosInc pic.twitter.com/M7YNKFktoD
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 10, 2024
The empty netter gives Ovechkin 834 goals in his career and 12 goals on the 2023-24 season. He’s now on pace for 20 goals on the season.
Inside the locker room after the victory, John Carlson gave Alex Ovechkin the milestone goal puck. Though after some playful teasing.
“This one will go in (my son) Lucca’s room,” Carlson said. “We’ll get you a new one.”
When he did eventually hand over the puck, the two longtime Capitals exchanged hugs.
With the team’s Mentors’ Trip ending, the team also acknowledged Ovechkin, TJ Oshie, and Joel Edumndson, whose fathers all recently passed away.
