Every Alex Ovechkin goal is NHL history at this point, and his tally on the Calgary Flames on Tuesday was more of the same.
Ovechkin’s third-period power-play goal on Flames goaltender Dan Vladar marked not only the Capitals captain’s 883rd career goal, but also his 30th goal of the 2024-25 season. The Russian forward has now scored 30 or more goals in 19 of his 20 career seasons, extending his NHL record.
Ovechkin originally broke the record last season after notching his 30th goal against the Detroit Red Wings on April 9, 2024. He finished the season with 31 goals.
“My linemates, teammates do a pretty good job finding me out there,” Ovechkin said Tuesday. “I just have to finish it up.”
Ovechkin now has two more 30-goal seasons than the next closest player, former Capital Mike Gartner (17), and four more than third-place Jaromir Jagr (15). Wayne Gretzky finished his 20-year career with only fourteen 30-goal seasons.
Most 30-goal seasons in NHL history
| Rank | Player | 30-goal seasons |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Ovechkin | 19 |
| 2 | Mike Gartner | 17 |
| 3 | Jaromir Jagr | 15 |
| 4t | Marcel Dionne | 14 |
| Wayne Gretkzy | 14 | |
| Gordie Howe | 14 | |
| 7t | Bobby Hull | 13 |
| Phil Esposito | 13 | |
| Mats Sundin | 13 | |
| Brett Hull | 13 |
Capitals PR also noted that Ovechkin is only the fourth player in NHL history to score 30 goals at age 39 or older, joining Gordie Howe, Jonny Bucyk, and Teemu Selanne.
The only season Ovechkin didn’t hit 30 was the NHL’s coronavirus-shortened 2020-21 campaign. That year, legendary winger scored only 24 goals in 45 games — a pace that would have seen him score 44 goals in an 82-game season. Ovechkin missed 11 Capitals games that season due to injury.
