Ovechkin passes Andreychuk for most power-play goals in NHL history
He did it in anti-climactic fashion, but Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin ultimately moved past Dave Andreychuk on Friday night for the most power-play goals in NHL history.
Ovechkin blasted home a goal as a power play was expiring late in the Capitals' 3-1 victory against the Detroit Red Wings and was credited with his 275th career marker on the man advantage.
The official scorer initially ruled that it came on the power play but changed it to an even-strength goal shortly thereafter. Then, once the game concluded, the league reviewed the play and reversed course again, awarding the 36-year-old a goal on the man advantage.
Here are the league's all-time leaders in that category:
Player | GP | PPG |
---|---|---|
Alex Ovechkin | 1230 | 275 |
Dave Andreychuk | 1639 | 274 |
Brett Hull | 1269 | 265 |
Teemu Selanne | 1451 | 255 |
Luc Robitaille | 1431 | 247 |
Ovechkin has done more than one-third of his damage from his "office" on power plays.
Alex Ovechkin's NHL record-breaking power-play goal fittingly came on a one-timer from above the left circle.
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) January 1, 2022
Of his 275 power-play goals, 112 (40.7%) were scored on one-timers from the left circle or above.
The Russian sniper, who added an empty-netter after scoring the eventual winner Friday, also moved up another all-time list.
Ovechkin's first goal stands as the game-winning goal, marking his 119th career game-winning goal. He passes Phil Esposito for the third most game-winning goals in NHL history.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) January 1, 2022
Ovechkin's pair put him in a tie with Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl for the league lead in goals with 24 this season. Draisaitl has played two fewer games than the Capitals winger. Ovechkin ranks third in the NHL's points race behind Edmonton captain Connor McDavid (52) and Draisaitl (51) with 50.
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