After going goal-less in his last three games, Alex Ovechkin returned to the scoresheet in the Washington Capitals’ 4-1 victory over the Nashville Predators, Saturday.
Ovechkin scored the 61st empty-net goal of his career with 59 seconds remaining in the win, but it was how he did it that was so electric. In a play you’re more accustomed to seeing from Tom Wilson, Alex Ovechkin blocked an 87.7 MPH point shot from Norris Trophy-winning defenseman Roman Josi before racing to the loose puck at center ice and depositing it into the yawning net.
Before his tally, the Bridgestone Arena crowd, consisting of a loud group of Capitals fans, could be heard on the Monumental Sports Network telecast chanting, “We want Ovi” after the Predators pulled Juuse Saros for an extra attacker. After watching one shift from the bench, Ovechkin was sent onto the ice by Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery.
The Nashville crowd erupted when Ovechkin eventually found paydirt as @Jenscapsfan74 shared from the lower bowl.
The empty netter marked Ovechkin’s 873rd career goal, bringing him within 21 of Wayne Gretzky’s goals record. The tally was also Ovi’s 20th goal of the season, giving The Great 8 his twentieth consecutive 20-goal season. The only other player in NHL history to do so was Gordie Howe with 22.
Most 20-goal NHL seasons (via NHL PR)
| Player | Total |
|---|---|
| Gordie Howe | 22 |
| Alex Ovechkin | 20 |
| Ron Francis | 20 |
| Jaromir Jagr | 19 |
| Brendan Shanahan | 19 |
| Dave Andreychuk | 19 |
Ovechkin’s 20 goals came in his first 27 games this season. Despite missing 16 games due to a broken leg, Ovi is on pace to score 49 goals this season — the most since the 2020-21 season, where he hit 50 for the ninth time in his career.
