Yahoo Sports More GR8NESS: Alex Ovechkin Hits 20 Goals For 20th Consecutive Season As He Continues Pursuit Of Wayne Gretzky
The Washington Capitals saw Alex Ovechkin make history once again on Saturday in Nashville, as the captain scored an empty-net goal en route to a 4-1 win over the Nashville Predators.
After blocking a shot, Ovechkin jumped on the loose puck and took it all the way down the ice for his 20th goal of the season.
Ovechkin is now just the second player in NHL history, joining Gordie Howe, to hit 20 goals in 20 consecutive seasons. He is now two 20-goal campaigns away from the most in NHL history, a record still held by Howe.
The 39-year-old is just 22 goals away from passing Wayne Gretzky for the most goals in NHL history. He can realistically accomplish that feat this season, though it's not something that he is overthinking as his priority is team success.
Ovechkin has yet to go more than three straight games without a goal this season and is on pace for 49 goals this season. That puts him on pace to not just pass Gretzky but to hit the 900-goal mark to boot.
While the "GR8 Chase" is a sight to behold, so is Ovechkin's resilience and durability. He has been able to maintain consistency throughout his career and find ways to put the puck in the net.
At the same time, he didn't let a broken fibula slow him down. In nine games since returning from the injury — he came back just 40 days after breaking his leg against Utah Hockey Club — Ovechkin has scored five times.
