ARLINGTON, VA — Alex Ovechkin became the first player of the new millennium to score 65 goals when he hit the mark in the 2007-08 season — something no player has done since. But after more than a decade, Ovechkin’s salary cap-era record could soon fall thanks to the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews. Matthews has recorded 55 goals in 66 games and is on pace for a shocking 68-goal season: he could well end the year with 70.
In more than a century of NHL history, only a dozen players have scored 65 goals in a season. Ovechkin is rooting for Matthews to become no. 13.
“It’s great,” Ovechkin said Wednesday. “I’m happy for him. Hope he gets it. Maybe 70—you never know. He’s a special player. It’s fun to watch”
Matthews already has one 60-goal campaign under his belt, reaching the mark during the 2021-22 season. That performance not only earned him the Rocket Richard Trophy for most goals in the league that year but propelled him to the first Hart Trophy (league MVP) win of his career.
The NHL last saw a 70-goal season more than 30 years ago, when both Teemu Selanne and Alexander Mogilny achieved the feat in 1992-93. Since Ovechkin hit his career high of 65 goals, Connor McDavid has come closest, scoring 64 goals in 2022-23.
Scoring has gone up around the league since Ovechkin’s career year in 2007-08, rising from an average of 5.56 goals per game to 6.22. He smiled when asked if that made Matthews’ job any easier.
“Oh for him, it’s easy,” he said. “For us, it’s kind of hard. So we tried to find a way to find the empty nets or rebounds, whatever.”
Though it would usurp his record in the 21st century, Ovechkin has had no qualms about cheering for Matthews, who would become the first active player to reach the 70-goal threshold.
Matthews has slowed down some in recent weeks, scoring only three times in his last 10 games. And the continued absence of Mitch Marner, who has assisted on 32 of Matthews’ goals so far but is out with a high-ankle sprain, could further hamper his goal chase. Still, Ovechkin remains confident that a 70-goal season is within reach.
“How many goals he have right now? 55. So how many games are left? 15. So one game he can to score four goals and then he’s already close to that,” Ovechkin said.
“So like how I said, I’m cheering for him. He’s a fun player to watch and the fans are going to love it when he’s going to be 70.”
Though he may be rooting for Matthews to pass him eventually, Ovechkin is grateful not to have to defend against Matthews’ shot when the Leafs come to town Wednesday night.
“I don’t think I’m going to play against him, I’ll be honest with you,” he said with a grin.
