Ovechkin Closing in on History
As the NHL's 2024-25 season unfolds, Alexander Ovechkin continues to etch his name deeper into the annals of hockey history. The Washington Capitals star, currently 39 years old, is a mere 34 goals shy of unseating Wayne Gretzky's monumental all-time goals record of 894. As each game chips away at this historic tally, the hockey world watches in anticipation.
Entering the season, Ovechkin required 33 goals to tie Gretzky’s record. Despite his age, the legendary Russian winger demonstrates no signs of slowing down. With an impressive start to the season—highlighted by four goals and five assists in a mere four games—Ovechkin is proving his mettle once again.
Remarkable Performances at 39
Ovechkin's ability to achieve consecutive three-point performances against the Montreal Canadiens and the Columbus Blue Jackets serves as a testament to his enduring excellence. His recent exploits make him the fourth player in NHL history to capture back-to-back three-point games at the age of 39 or older, joining a distinguished list of seasoned veterans.
The Capitals' captain is currently enjoying a remarkable goal-scoring streak, having tallied goals in four consecutive games—a feat not seen since Jaromir Jagr accomplished it in 2013 among players aged 39 years or older. Most recently, Ovechkin extended this streak to five games with a decisive game-winning goal against the Nashville Predators, bringing his career total to 130 game-winning goals. While this positions him within striking distance of Jagr's league-leading 135 game-winning goals, such achievements only further burnish his storied career.
Eyes on the Record
Remarkably, Ovechkin is on pace to score 55 goals this season, a projection that tantalizes fans with the possibility of seeing the Capitals legend become the NHL's all-time greatest goal scorer by the season's end.
While Ovechkin's feats have captivated the NHL's audience, other stars are also leaving their mark this season. Martin Necas of the Carolina Hurricanes is commanding attention with leading performances in goals, points, assists, and power-play assists for his team. His recent contributions include three goals and six assists across his last three games, with a game-clinching strike against the Flyers in the dying moments.
Hughes and Hellebuyck Shine
Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks also continues to impress, having recorded a goal and five assists in recent contests. Hughes sits third in the league for points, ranking just behind elite defensive talents Cale Makar and Josh Morrissey.
The Winnipeg Jets have stunned the league with a blistering 13-1-0 start to the season. They've been a formidable offensive juggernaut, averaging an imposing 4.5 goals per game. A key component of their success has been the superb goaltending of Connor Hellebuyck, who has secured 10 wins—the best record in the NHL to this point.
Hellebuyck boasts an impressive 1.91 goals-against average and a stellar .932 save percentage, with his save percentage against unblocked shots standing at an impressive .967. His dominant performances include multiple shutouts this season, including a thrilling 1-0 victory over the Colorado Avalanche where he stopped 35 shots. In his most recent outings, Hellebuyck allowed two goals or less in three of his last four games, underscoring his position as one of the league's top goaltenders.
As the season progresses, these stories promise to add layers of excitement to a campaign already brimming with narratives of resilience, skill, and historic ambition. Whether it’s Ovechkin chasing the ultimate goal-scoring record or other players making their own marks, the NHL continues to offer compelling tales for fans worldwide.