Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin scored twice in Tuesday night’s 5-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks, setting another NHL record.
Ovechkin’s records were the 402nd and 403rd on the road in his 18-year career, surpassing Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky for most ice visits in NHL history.
It was also Ovechkin’s second multi-goal game that season and the 160th of his career. Only Gretzky, who retired at 189, has more multigoal games in NHL history.
Ovechkin, 37, beat Vancouver goaltender Spencer Martin for the first time in his career, opening the opening goal with a goal without an assist at 5:35 of the half. It was Ovechkin’s 135th game-opening goal that saw Jaromir Jagr score the most goal in NHL history.
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At 11:52 he slacked off with his 13th goal of the season. That record was helped by forwards Dylan Strome and Anthony Mantha. Washington led 3-1 after the first period.
Ovechkin almost scored a hat-trick when Vancouver Martin drew for an extra skater just over six minutes from time, but his shot-rocket grazed the outside of the post. Instead, it was Martin Fehervary who sealed it, throwing the puck high into the Canucks zone and into the empty net at 3:57 p.m. of the third period.
Earlier this month, Ovechkin set the NHL record for most goals scored by a franchise. He achieved his 787th career tally with the Capitals and broke a tie with Hall of Famer Gordie Howe with the Detroit Red Wings. The record-breaking goal came in a 3-2 loss to the Arizona Coyotes on home ice on Nov. 5.
The Capitals have struggled in a crowded Eastern Conference this season, but their troubles haven’t slowed Ovechkin. He is the team’s top scorer with 23 points, and his 20:57 average on ice time was the best among the Washington forwards starting Tuesday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.