Alex Ovechkin is hot as a pistol at the moment. The Washington Capitals captain tied yet another NHL record Monday with a goal against the Utah Hockey Club.
Ovechkin put a first period strike past Utah’s Connor Ingram, the 178th different goaltender he’s scored on in his career.
That tied him with the great Jaromir Jagr for most goalies scored on in NHL history.
He is the first 39-year old to lead the league in scoring in history (10 goals minimum) and is the first to score 12 goals in an 11 game span, per the Monumental Sports Network broadcast.
His 14th tally of the season extended Washington’s early lead to 3-1 and put him into the league lead for goals.
Ovechkin, 39, has scored six goals in his last five games including his 31st career hat-trick against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday.
Monday’s score was the 867th of his career and leaves him just 28 short of passing Hockey Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky for most all-time (894).
Ovechkin’s 0.78 goals-per-game pace puts him on an estimated collision course with history in late February or early March barring any injuries or severe scoring droughts
He’s also currently on pace to score 63 goals this season, something he hasn’t done since the 2007-08 season (65).
