In the first half of the season, it seemed like Ovechkin was overcome by an inevitable decline in his career. Sasha updated several of his own anti-records and the statisticians nodded thoughtfully: at 38 years old, this is inevitable. But Ovechkin showed that you can improve at any age. Since January 27, Alexander has scored 18 goals. Only two have more in this period: American forward “Toronto” Auston Matthews (19) and Canadian forward “Edmonton” Zach Hyman (20).
Ovechkin is on a five-game scoring streak, with doubles in three of his last four games. In total, the Russian has already scored 26 goals this season. Four more, and he will rank first in NHL history for regular season goals with 30: but in December of last year this seemed impossible. Well, if we count seasons with 25 goals, then our forward has caught up with the great Czech Jaromir Jagr: both have 18 regular seasons. Only Canadian Gordie Howe (20) is ahead.
This is the 18th regular season in which Alexander Ovechkin scored 25 goals.
Many were quick to end Ovechkin’s career for Gretzky. But now the skeptics have diminished. Alexander already has 848 goals: the “eternal” record is just around the corner. By the way, the bookmakers, apparently impressed by Ovechkin’s form, believe that Gretzky’s achievement will be surpassed. They estimate the corresponding probability to be approximately 60 percent.
Let’s add that Ovechkin’s pursuit of records does not come at the expense of the team’s goals. “Washington” gained excellent momentum. Now the capital team is in the playoffs. He has 12 games left in the regular season.
“When it comes to the biggest games, when the season is on the line, which we feel every night, he’s at his best,” Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery admired.
And here are the words of Ovechkin himself.
“You can see for yourself how we are playing now. Everyone feels confident, everyone understands what the situation is. That’s why we are fighting all season, starting from training camp. The regular season ends in two weeks, but I don’t want to.” I’m going on vacation. “I want to keep playing.”
