800 career goals for Alexander Ovechkin
A total of 12 games were presented last night in the NHL. Unusually, four of them ended in a shutout. Without further ado, here are the highlights of the evening.
1. Ovi approaches Howe
The Capitals’ season may not be going as planned, but at least Alexander Ovechkin is making sure to keep things interesting. The Russian striker is getting dangerously close to impressive marks and he took a step closer to Gordie Howe and Wayne Gretzky yesterday.
The number 8 scored a hat trick, allowing him to score his 798, 799 and 800th career goals.
None other than who 🐐 pic.twitter.com/jnBED6AAXz
—Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 14, 2022
This man is unbelievable pic.twitter.com/pDqeMLZFB1
—Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 14, 2022
IT’S HISTORY, BABES! pic.twitter.com/ENTC23b2E4
—Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 14, 2022
ovi joins a select group now made up of three players who have scored 800 career goals. He only needs one more goal to tie Gordie Howe for second all-time scorer in NHL history.
It’s a safe bet that he will break Wayne Gretzky’s record of 894 within two years…
2.Connor, The magnificent
Some might think that Connor McDavid is from another planet, and that’s completely normal. Yesterday, the striker had yet another outstanding game as he collected one goal and three assists.
Just McDavid things pic.twitter.com/9WgsZobiuh
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) December 14, 2022
But he wasn’t the only Oilers player to produce. Zach Hyman got his first career hat trick and Leon Draisaitl had two goals and three assists.
Leon vs. Predators pic.twitter.com/zfRq2A5ppg
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) December 14, 2022
Zach again with another goal pic.twitter.com/2lVsZNkd1s
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) December 14, 2022
But back to McDavid for a moment. With 59 points in 30 games, he is on his way to a season of… 161 points! If he can keep up the pace, it would be an incredible feat, as no player has achieved this feat since Mario Lemieux in 1995-96 (162 points).
3. And 23 for Mitch
Mitchell Marner keeps going. In a game between the Leafs and the Ducks, the Toronto forward collected a point in a 23rd straight game. The winger didn’t wait long yesterday as he picked up an assist on John Tavares’ goal just 8:41 into the game.
23-game point streak — just Mitch Marner (@Marner93) doing his thing. ♂️ pic.twitter.com/wIKiOsZcMp
— NHL (@NHL) December 14, 2022
It’s not just Marner who’s been playing well these days in Toronto. The whole team is on fire and yesterday the Leafs made short work of the Ducks, with a convincing 7-0 victory. But it wasn’t just the big guns that were heard, as even support players like Conor Timmins and Pontus Holmberg picked up three points apiece. Even Alex Kerfoot scored two goals, including this one.
Sheeeeesh Kerf pic.twitter.com/yKeK0ijKx8
—Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) December 14, 2022
Moreover, the Leafs have not even lost in regulation time in the last month.
Leafs have not lost in regulation in over a month, 12-0-3 in their last 15. #LeafsForever
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) December 14, 2022
4. Don’t forget the Lightning
Strangely, we don’t really hear about the Lightning this season. Few believe in their chances of returning to the Finals for a fourth straight year, but Tampa still needs to be taken seriously. Yesterday, Jon Cooper’s troops easily disposed of the Seattle Kraken by a score of 6-2. Brayden Point notably scored a goal and an assist.
Brayden Point pic.twitter.com/6uFRFC8a6p
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) December 14, 2022
And in the shadow of Marner, Steven Stamkos is experiencing a very interesting series. Indeed, the number 91 has now collected a point in 14 consecutive games.
Make that a 14-game point streak for the Cap. pic.twitter.com/1sWFjY4JZZ
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) December 14, 2022
For his part, Mikhail Sergachev collected his 200th career point.
With an assist on Perry’s goal, Sergachev reached 200 career points.
Congratulations, Sergy!! pic.twitter.com/MD8Lf8LWOS
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) December 14, 2022
And casually, the Lightning is solidly positioned third in its division, five points ahead of the Red Wings.
5. Tagus is on fire
Last week, Tage Thompson had a historic game in which he scored five times. Since then, the Sabers striker has been busy. Yesterday, he added three more points to his record in a 6-0 win over the Kings.
Tage Thompson in the enclave is, how can I say… too easy! What a shot ⚡ pic.twitter.com/DyixjxqPuc
— TVA Sports (@TVASports) December 14, 2022
The big forward is on an exceptional streak and now has 23 goals and 44 points in just 29 games this season.
Five 3rd goals for the Sabres, Thompson with 2 of them, 3 pts total.
Tage Thompson with 10 goals, 17 pts in his last 8 games.#LetsGoBuffalo
— NHL Watcher (@NHL_Watcher) December 14, 2022
Unfortunately, that doesn’t always translate to wins for Buffalo…
Extension
– So here are the final results of the evening.
Alex Ovechkin scored his 800th career NHL goal, goal his @Capitals weren’t the only team with a big win tonight.#NHLStats: https://t.co/PIaIXikn3D #Gr800 pic.twitter.com/aU8LtqyXss
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) December 14, 2022
– And the best scorers.
– Tonight there will only be three matches.
