Alex Ovechkin accomplished a rare piece of history 14 years ago to the day.
On April 13, 2006, Ovechkin scored his 50th goal against the Atlanta Thrashers in game 79 of the Capitals’ 2006-06 season. With the goal, Ovechkin became the second rookie in NHL history to record 50 goals and 100 points in a season. The only other player to accomplish the feat was Teemu Selanne (76g, 56a, 132pts) in 1992-93.
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Ovechkin, wearing a now-banned smoky-mirrored visor, scored seconds after a hooking penalty expired to Derek MacKenzie in the first period. Steve Eminger and Matt Pettinger assisted on the historic goal scored on Mike Dunham. Former Capitals great Peter Bondra scored in the same game for Atlanta.
Ovechkin scored his 100th point a game before – an overtime game-winning goal against the Boston Bruins. The goal was assisted by Dainius Zubrus.
Ovechkin would go on to score 52 goals and tally 106 points total on the year, winning the Calder Trophy over Sidney Crosby.
Ovechkin’s 50-goal rookie year would be the first of eight times he has hit the half-century mark in a season. Ovi currently has 48 goals and is tied with David Pastrnak for the league lead with 13 games remaining in the suspended 2019-20 season.
Here’s video of Selanne’s historic rookie season.
