Alex Ovechkin electrified the NHL by scoring his 31st career hat trick against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday.
The three tallies not only brought Ovi to within 28 of Wayne Gretzky for a share of the NHL’s goals record, but it also catapulted the Washington Capitals’ captain to the top of the league leaderboard in terms of goals for the 2024-25 season.
Ovechkin’s 13 tallies now puts him in a three-way tie for first with Sam Reinhart (Florida Panthers) and Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers). He’s on pace for 63 goals this season.
NHL leaders in goals
According to NHL PR, Ovechkin is the oldest player to ever lead or be tied for the league in goals (min. 10 goals scored).
What makes this even more fun is that Connor McMichael, who is 16 years younger than Ovechkin, sits in a four-way tie for second in the NHL with 12.
Yes, the Washington Capitals have the first and second best goal-scorers in the league through the first month of the season. And one player is a bridge to the future and the next generation of the Capitals.
What a time to be alive.
