Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin becomes third NHLer to register 20 20-goal seasons
Alex Ovechkin made history again Saturday night, scoring an empty net goal in a 4-1 win for the Washington Capitals over the Nashville Predators and becoming just the third player in NHL history register 20 20-goal seasons.
Alex Ovechkin scored his 20th goal of the season for the 20th time in his career and moved within 22 of passing Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record (894). #NHLStats
More on The Gr8 Chase: https://t.co/F107FkkocH pic.twitter.com/nBmAP5mC0v
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 12, 2025
Ovechkin joins Hockey Hall of Famers Gordie Howe and Ron Francis, who had 22 and 20, respectively. He and Howe are the only two players to have 20 consecutive 20-goal campaigns.
22 TO GO! 🚨
Alex Ovechkin has his 20th goal of the season and is 22 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record! pic.twitter.com/FFKtQXF4Ih
— NHL (@NHL) January 12, 2025
Along with his 20 goals, the Capitals’ captain now has 12 assists for 32 points in 27 games this season, which puts him fifth on the team in points, despite missing 16 games due to injury.
Playing in his 20th NHL season, Ovechkin now has 873 goals and 709 assists for 1,582 points in 1,453 career regular-season games. The 39-year-old winger is now 22 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record of 894. His 1,582 points is also 12th on the all-time list, 10 back of Hall of Fame forward Phil Esposito.
Ovechkin has won the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy, awarded to the player who scored the most goals in a season, a record nine times in his career. Ovechkin has also won the Hart Trophy three times.
The Capitals are now 28-10-5 with 61 points, first in both the Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference. Their next game is at home on Tuesday when they host the Anaheim Ducks.