Alex Ovechkin scores 30 goals for record 20th NHL season in Capitals win
Alex Ovechkin has reached the 30-goal milestone for a record-extending 20th time in his NHL career as the Washington Capitals secured a 6-4 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday.
The 40-year-old winger scored twice during the Eastern Conference matchup to further cement his legacy among the sport’s greatest goalscorers.
His latest achievement puts him three seasons clear of Mike Gartner, who previously held the benchmark with 17 campaigns of 30 or more goals.
The only time the Russian captain failed to reach the milestone was during the Covid-shortened 2020-21 campaign, where he still managed 24 goals in 45 appearances.
Joining elite company
By finding the net twice against Philadelphia, the veteran forward joined Gordie Howe, Teemu Selanne and Johnny Bucyk as the only players in NHL history to record a 30-goal season at age 40 or older.
The historic strikes also marked his 185th career multi-goal game, leaving him just four behind Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record of 189.
His second goal of the night, a trademark one-timer in the third period, took his overall career tally to 928 goals.
Capitals push for playoffs
The historic individual achievement coincided with a crucial result for Washington, who have now won three consecutive games to bolster their playoff push.
Tom Wilson celebrated his 900th career NHL game by opening the scoring from the slot late in the first period before adding a second goal later in the match.
Jakob Chychrun contributed a goal and two assists, while Ryan Leonard added a power-play strike to help halt a three-game winning streak for the visiting Flyers.
Philadelphia had fought back from a two-goal deficit in the second period through Travis Sanheim and Carl Grundstrom, but Washington’s attacking depth ultimately proved decisive.
