As the Washington Capitals gear up for the upcoming NHL season, all eyes are on their veteran captain, Alexander Ovechkin, who is embarking on his remarkable 20th year in the league. This season has the potential to be a historic one for both Ovechkin and the NHL as a whole.
Standing at a towering 6-foot-3, Ovechkin currently holds the second spot in NHL history with an impressive 853 goals under his belt, a mere 42 goals away from Wayne Gretzky’s iconic record of 894 – a record many believed to be untouchable. Despite turning 39 this September, Ovechkin shows no signs of slowing down.
In the previous season, Ovechkin tallied 31 goals and 65 points in 79 games, marking his lowest goal total in a non-shortened season throughout his illustrious career. However, both head coach Spencer Carbery and newly appointed general manager Chris Patrick remain optimistic about Ovechkin’s potential to shatter Gretzky’s record this season.
Carbery expressed his confidence in Ovechkin’s ability, stating to NHL.com’s Tom Gulitti, “Do I think he can score 42 goals this year? Yes, I do. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say he could [reach that total] because of how talented a scorer he is.” Patrick echoed Carbery’s sentiments, emphasizing, “’Ovi’ has done so many things that people never thought he could do, so I think it’s on the table for sure.”
Following a fourth-place finish in the Metropolitan Division with a 40-31-11 record last season, the Capitals secured the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Their postseason journey, however, was short-lived as they were swiftly eliminated by the Presidents’ Trophy-winning New York Rangers in a four-game series. Ovechkin notably struggled in the playoffs, failing to record a point on five shots while averaging 19:35 of ice time.
Carbery acknowledges Ovechkin’s disappointment in his playoff performance and has contemplated reducing the captain’s ice time this season to ensure fresher shifts. The Capitals believe that Ovechkin’s downtime in the offseason, spent with his family, will be crucial in rejuvenating the star player for the upcoming campaign.
As Ovechkin embarks on his 20th NHL season, the hockey world eagerly anticipates whether he can etch his name in the history books by surpassing Gretzky’s monumental goal-scoring record. With his unwavering talent and determination, Ovechkin continues to defy expectations and push the boundaries of what is achievable in the realm of professional hockey.
