Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin becomes only player in NHL history to start career with 19 consecutive 20-goal seasons
Alex Ovechkin continues to make history, scoring his 20th and 21st goals of the season on Monday against the Calgary Flames. He’s now reached the 20-goal mark for the 19th consecutive season, becoming the first player in NHL history to score 20 goals in his first 19 NHL seasons.
Ovechkin is the only player in NHL history to record 19 consecutive 20-goal seasons from the start of his career.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) March 19, 2024
Ovechkin joined Gordie Howe and Brendan Shanahan as the only two players in league history to reach 19 consecutive 20-goal seasons.
It’s 19 consecutive 20-goal seasons for Ovi! 🥳 pic.twitter.com/7pT0YolOVW
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 19, 2024
Howe was able to do it in 22 consecutive seasons, but Ovechkin is the only one to do it from the beginning of his career, according to theScore’s Josh Wegman.
Ovi’s 19th (‼️) consecutive 20-goal campaign sees him join a list of just three players to ever achieve the feat. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/JdrAvABQJi
— NHL (@NHL) March 19, 2024
As of March 19, Ovechkin has 843 career goals, 51 behind Wayne Gretzky for first on the all-time list.
The 2023-24 campaign has been the low point for offensive production for Ovechkin, as his 0.33 goals-per-game is far and away the lowest mark of his career. His previous lowest goals-per-game was in 2016-17 with 0.40, where he scored 33 goals.
But even in a less productive season, Ovechkin still has 52 points in 64 games, second on the team in scoring behind Dylan Strome.
The Capitals are 33-25-9 with 75 points and have won three straight. Going into the games on March 19, the Capitals hold the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of the Detroit Red Wings and two ahead of the New York Islanders.
The Capitals’ next game is Wednesday as they host the Toronto Maple Leafs.