Hat trick vs. Oilers puts Ovechkin 13 goals shy of Gretzky’s NHL career goals record

Alex Ovechkin showcased his scoring prowess once again as he led the Washington Capitals to a dominant 7-3 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. The Russian superstar scored a perfect wrist shot past goaltender Calvin Pickard for his first goal of the game, followed it up with a power-play goal from his usual spot in the office for his second, and then sealed the hat trick with an empty-net goal from his own zone.

After the game, Ovechkin humbly acknowledged his performance, stating, “I have pretty good chances to score more, but I’ll take three.” With this hat trick, Ovechkin now sits just 13 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career record of 894 goals, a feat that once seemed unattainable. Despite missing 16 games earlier in the season due to a broken leg, the 39-year-old is on pace to surpass Gretzky’s record this spring.

Teammates and opponents alike marveled at Ovechkin’s scoring abilities. Capitals goaltender Charlie Lindgren praised Ovechkin, calling him “the best,” while linemate Dylan Strome, who has assisted on 16 of Ovechkin’s 29 goals this season, admitted that breaking the record in March or April would still be a challenging task. Ovechkin emphasized that he is taking it “game by game” as he continues his pursuit of history.

Ovechkin’s hunger for goals and relentless pursuit of success impressed his longtime teammate Tom Wilson, who described him as always wanting to go back on the ice immediately after scoring. The Capitals forward’s dedication to his craft has been a source of inspiration for his teammates and fans alike.

In the game against the Oilers, Ovechkin’s offensive prowess was on full display as he fired eight shots on goal and had four more attempts. Despite being denied a third goal by Pickard, Ovechkin eventually completed his hat trick with a long-distance empty-netter that sent the crowd into a frenzy.

With his 32nd career hat trick, Ovechkin tied Hall of Famer Phil Esposito for fifth on the all-time list. Additionally, he equaled Jaromir Jagr’s record of 135 game-winning goals. Capitals coach Spencer Carbery praised Ovechkin’s extraordinary performance, noting that the Russian forward could have easily scored more goals in the game.

As Ovechkin continues his remarkable journey towards breaking Gretzky’s record, the hockey world is in awe of his scoring prowess and relentless pursuit of greatness. With each goal he scores, Ovechkin solidifies his status as one of the greatest players in NHL history.