The stage is set for Alex Ovechkin to hit ridiculous milestone against the Leafs this week
To begin the season, Alexander Ovechkin was at 780 goals and needed to average 28.75 goals per season over the remaining 4 years of his contract to surpass Wayne Gretzky's all-time goals record of 894. Ovechkin has tallied 17 goals so far this season and is currently sitting at 797 with a chance to become just the third player to ever score 800 goals this week - and wouldn't you know it, he has a chance to do it Saturday night against the Leafs.
Ovechkin and the Capitals play Tuesday and Thursday against the Hawks and Stars so Ovechkin will have the opportunity to reach the milestone prior to Saturday, but at the very least, he could move into second all-time Saturday, surpassing Gordie Howe who has 801 career goals. Ovechkin has had a bit of trouble scoring against both the Hawks and Stars however, so the stars could be aligning for him to reach the milestone Saturday night at home in Washington against a Leafs team who have become road warriors in recent weeks.
In a combined 44 games against the Hawks and Stars, Ovechkin has 22 goals which averages out to 0.5 goals per game, well below his career average of 0.61 goals per game. In 54 games against the Leafs, however, Ovechkin has scored 41 goals and is shooting a ridiculous 16.1% in his career against the Buds - his third best shooting percentage against any team.
It would seem that Ovechkin will tie or break some sort of record against the Leafs Saturday night, and since he thrives under the spotlight, Hockey Night in Canada might end up setting the scene for history.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 12 | 203 ANSWERS The stage is set for Alex Ovechkin to hit ridiculous milestone against the Leafs this week Will Ovechkin score his 800th or 801st goal against the Leafs? | ||
| Yes, it's almost a certainty | 61 | 30 % |
| No, the Leafs won't allow it | 142 | 70 % |
| List of polls | ||
