Alex Ovechkin Breaks the NHL Record for Most Goals With One Team
On Saturday, Nov. 5 Alex Ovechkin scored the first goal of the game to break the NHL record for most goals scored with one franchise, netting his 787th career goal with the Washington Capitals to break a tie with Hockey Hall of Famer Gordie Howe's career total with the Detroit Red Wings.
The goal didn't come till 8:55 Into the second period on the power play. The goal was assisted by Trevor van Riemsdyk and Anthony Mantha.
This was already Ovetckins 7th goal of the season and he’ll surely score many more goals this season as he chases down Wayne Gretzky's record for most goals scored all-time in the NHL.
Ovechkin is now the sole owner of the record after Howe held it for 51 years, scoring the final goal of his Red Wings career during the 1970-71 campaign.
First Ovechkin has to pass Howes who is second all-time in goals with 801 goals, which is second all-time behind Gretzky's 894-goal record.
Mark Howe, who is the son of Gordie, has spoken very highly about Ovechkin. He feels that Ovechkin will break the record by a mile because of the high level he is playing at for his age.
"His shot's as good as any," Mark said. "There are very few people that have that knack. Once they start losing it, they start hitting the goalie in the crest. His pucks are still going in the corner.
Ovechkin is still a very dangerous threat on the power play and a huge part of why the Capitals' power play is so dominant.
It’s no secret what the Capitals are trying to do on the power play to get success, they are looking to feed their captain who has one of the best one-timers in the league. Goalies still can't seem to stop Ovetckin’s lethal and wicked one-timer.
Ovechkin spoke to the media after the game on how he felt about the milestone and he seemed honored but disappointed in a way.
"Obviously, it's a huge moment," Ovechkin said. "The last couple of games were big milestones and, unfortunately, we didn't get the win. But it's a special moment, and it's nice to have both my kids, my wife, and all the fans (here). My parents watched it in Moscow. So it's a special moment."
Ovechkin has won nine goal-scoring titles, three Hart trophies as NHL MVP, and the 2018 Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP in leading Washington to its lone Stanley Cup championship.
He shows no signs of slowing down. He said the goal for him is to put up another 50-goal season.
Christian Holtzapple is a third-year majoring in Journalism. To contact him, email @cmh7064@psu.edu.
About the Contributors
Christian Holtzapple
/
