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Alex Ovechkin becomes 12th player in NHL history to score a hat trick age 39 or older

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Hats fly after Alex Ovechkin scores hat trick
Screenshot: @nastyashubskaya/IG

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Not only did Alex Ovechkin become the oldest player in NHL history to lead the league in goals during the Washington Capitals’ 5-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights, but he also accomplished some rare history in terms of hat tricks.

Per Capitals PR, Ovechkin became the 12th player age 39 or older to score a hat trick, joining some of the greatest players of all time (and Shane Doan).

Hockey Hall of Famers Gordie Howe accomplished the feat four different times while Johnny Bucyk did it twice. The other players who managed to do so once include Jean Beliveau, Jaromir Jagr, Teemu Selanne, Nicklas Lidstrom, Luc Robitaille, Jean Ratelle, Joe Nieuwendyk, Joe Thornton, and Doan.

Ovechkin’s 31 career hat tricks ranks him sixth in NHL history trailing only Wayne Gretzky (50), Mario Lemieux (40), Mike Bossy (39), Brett Hull (33), and Phil Esposito (32).

Ovechkin’s three goals at T-Mobile Arena also gave him 16 career hat tricks on the road. The only players with more in NHL history are Lemieux (19), Gretzky (19) and Marcel Dionne (17).

Hockey Reference added that Ovechkin tied Phil Esposito for the most hat tricks after age 30 with 18.

Though, as NHL PR notes, Esposito never notched a hat trick after age 39 like Ovechkin.

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