Alex Ovechkin continued his unbelievable start to the 2024-25 season, netting two more goals in the Washington Capitals’ 8-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues, Saturday.
The 39-year-old superstar now sits 31 tallies behind Wayne Gretzky for a share of the NHL’s all-time goals record.
If he keeps up his torrid 0.71 goals per game pace, Ovechkin will break the record on Feb. 27, 2025, against the Blues.
862nd goal
Ovechkin’s first tally came 7:42 into the second period to make it 2-1 Capitals. After Dylan Strome gained the offensive zone with some strong skating, the pivot dished to Aliaksei Protas down the right wing. The Belorussian winger then sent a one-touch, cross-ice pass to Ovechkin, who was wide open in the left circle due to a sagging Blues defender.
The Capitals captain quickly caught the puck on his blade and beat Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington high to the short side. Ovechkin’s shot was so hard that the puck got caught in the goal’s netting, requiring some fishing by an official to get out.
863rd goal
Ovechkin beat Binnington again 2:09 into the third period on a Capitals power play. After some chaos in front of the net, Dylan Strome found Ovechkin all alone on the left side, where he fired the puck into an empty net.
Washington’s victory was so decisive that Ovechkin was dancing and jiving after the final buzzer.
#CAPSWIN pic.twitter.com/rV9dQ8KYqj
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) November 10, 2024
The goals were his second and third scored on Binnington — the 135th different goaltender Ovechkin’s scored on.
The two-goal night marked Ovechkin’s 175th career multi-goal game. He trails only Wayne Gretzky (189) for the most in NHL history.
Ovechkin’s first goal of the night ended up being the game-winner — his second GWG this season and the 131st of his illustrious career. He’s four away from Jaromir Jagr (135) for the most in NHL history.
Ovechkin’s 10 goals this season come 31 games earlier than last year.
Alex Ovechkin scoring alert ‼️
Ovechkin has reached the 10-goal mark in game no. 14 of the 2024-25 campaign. Last season, it took him 45 contests to hit double digits, reaching the mark on Feb. 6. #NHLStats: https://t.co/AbA5dkvjIp pic.twitter.com/qXHM1UZ5q7
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 10, 2024
