Key Takeaways:
– The Washington Capitals secured an unexpected playoff spot in 2024, only to be swept by the New York Rangers.
– A recent Instagram photo of Capitals’ captain, Alex Ovechkin, has sparked concerns among fans about his larger-than-usual appearance.
– Despite a dip in performance, Ovechkin bounced back in the latter half of the 2024 season, helping the Capitals reach the playoffs.
– Aged 39, Ovechkin is eyeing the record of Wayne Gretzky and is 42 goals short of becoming the highest goal scorer in NHL history.
Ovechkin’s Surprising Postseason Photo
Following the Washington Capitals’ swift exit from the first playoff round against the New York Rangers in 2024, captain Alex Ovechkin posted photos enjoying his off-season. One photograph, shared by Yegor Yakovlev on June 14th, showcased Ovechkin looking larger than fans are used to, leading to concerns about the Capitals’ franchise star.
Dip in Ovechkin’s Performance
Ahead of his 20th NHL season in 2024-25, Alex “Ovi” Ovechkin has a reputation to uphold. The Russian forward is renowned for his scoring abilities but has experienced a marked decline in the last few years. From scoring 90 points in 2022, Ovi dropped to 75 in 2023 and then down to 65 in the recently concluded season. This dip is significant when considering his last similar performance, with 65 points in 2012.
Ovechkin started the 2024 season slowly, making just 8 goals in the initial 43 games. Despite this, he significantly improved following the All-Star break, scoring 23 goals and 13 assists in the final 36 games. This impressive comeback helped the Capitals secure a playoff spot, where unfortunately, Ovi failed to score any points in the four games.
Chasing Wayne Gretzky’s Record
While most athletes unwind during the off-season, Ovechkin has a special challenge. He is aiming to break the long-standing goal-scoring record held by Wayne Gretzky. With 853 goals in his 19 seasons, Ovechkin is only 41 goals shy of matching Gretzky’s impressive record of 894 goals. He would need 42 to claim the title outright and become the highest-scoring player in NHL history.
Ovechkin, who turns 39 in September 2024, stresses the importance of staying fit and healthy to achieve this goal. “It’s a long way, but it’s possible if you’re going to be healthy,” he shared in an April end-of-season media conversation. His contract is due to end in July 2026, and by then, he’ll be 41 years old.
Gretzky racked up his 894 goals in 1,487 games, playing for the Edmonton Oilers, the Los Angeles Kings, the St. Louis Blues, and the New York Rangers. In contrast, Ovechkin accumulated his 853 goals playing exclusively for the Capitals in 1,426 games. Only Ovechkin has scored over 700 goals for a single franchise, followed by Steve Yzerman with 692 goals for the Detroit Red Wings and Mario Lemieux with 690 for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Regardless of the fan’s concerns, it’s clear that breaking the record and securing his legacy is at the forefront of Ovechkin’s mind as he approaches his 20th NHL season.