Alex Ovechkin got on the board early in the Washington Capitals’ game against the Nashville Predators and accomplished some big history in the process.
With a blistering one-timer from the left circle, Ovechkin scored his 20th goal of the 2025-26 season, giving him 20 goals for the 21st time in his career.
The tally came on a five-on-three power play at 5:56 of the first period, giving the Capitals a 1-0 lead. The goal, Ovechkin’s 917th of his career, beat the Predators’ Justus Annunen, the 188th different goaltender he’s scored on in his career. The power-play marker was also Ovechkin’s 329th of his career, which is 55 more than second-place Dave Andreychuk, who recorded 274 in his 23 seasons in the NHL.
Ovechkin has scored 20-or-more goals in all 21 of his seasons in the NHL. He passed Ron Francis (20) in the category, and now trails only Gordie Howe, who did so 22 times in his career.
The 40-year-old Ovechkin now has goals in four straight — five overall — and is on pace for 35 this season. Per Capitals PR, only three players have managed to score 30 goals or more at age 40 or older.
- Gordie Howe (2x: 44g in 1968-69; 31g in 1969-70)
- Johnny Bucyk (36g in 1975-76)
- Teemu Selanne (31g in 2010-11)
