(Caps Outsider)
We all know that Alex Ovechkin is on the verge of passing Gordie Howe for second-most goals all-time, but as he’s going for Wayne Gretzky’s all-time record, let’s look at some of the lesser records he could possibly get.
Home goals: Gretzky has 492, followed by Howe (449), Jaromir Jagr (411), Mike Gartner (401), and Ovi with 390. Even if Ovi breaks Gretzky’s goal record – 900 total would be a reasonable guess for the remainder of in contract – he will likely only have about 50 more goals at home, so he might have to settle for second or third all-time.
Home power play goals: Already the all-time power play goal king, Ovi still has three more players to pass to be the all-time home power play leader. With 147, Ovi is behind Teemu Selanne (148), Luc Robitaille (150), and Dave Andreychuk (151). Ovi had plenty of time to get this record.
Home game-winning goals: With 70, Ovi is currently second all-time in home game-winning goals to Jagr, who has 72. The game-winning goal stat can be flukey but it’s very likely that Ovi will get this one.
Road overtime goals: Ovi has 11, tied with Sidney Crosby, and only needs two to pass Jagr, who has 12. Ovi is already the all-time leader with 25 overtime goals, and the all-time leader at home with 14.
Road game-winning goals: Ovi, with 54, is currently in third place behind Phil Esposito (60), and Jagr (63). While this record is within reach, it’s not a slam-dunk, since Ovi has nine of these in the past five seasons but needs ten to pass Jagr.
Multi-goal games: Ovi currently has 160, but the record is 189 by Gretzky. This one is likely out of reach.
Hat tricks: Just to put this one in perspective, Ovi has 28 career hat tricks, which ties him for 7th all-time. Gretzky has 50, so Ovi isn’t getting this record, either.
Empty net goals: With 49, Ovi is second to Gretzky, who has 56. At home, Ovi has 18, good for 5th place, while Gretzky has 26. Ovi is the all-time leader in empty net goals on the road. This record is possible but the Caps first need to start playing better in Ovi’s last few seasons.
Most 20-goal seasons: Ovi has 17, tied for 7th, but Howe has 22. Ovi likely won’t get this unless he signs another contract.
Most 30-goal seasons: Ovi has 16, one behind Gartner, who has 17. Ovi will likely get this record, or tie it at the very least.
Most 40-goal seasons: Ovi and Gretzky are tied at 12.
Most 50-goal seasons: Ovi is tied with Gretzky and Mike Bossy at 9. Even if Ovi gets this record, the fact that Bossy did this in only 10 seasons (compared to Ovi and Gretzky’s 17 seasons) is simply amazing.
Hits: I’m not sure I want Ovi to get this record, but considering how high he is on the list, it’s worth looking at. Ovi is currently fourth place all-time, behind Matt Martin, Dustin Brown and Cal Clutterbuck, but not close to passing anyone and older than those ahead of him.
Shots on goal: There are several shot-on-goal records that Ovi is nearing: Overall and home, but he’s already the all-time leader in road shots on goal by far, 331 ahead of Ray Bourque. Overall, he’s only 45 behind Bourque. At home, he’s in third with 3,039, behind Jagr (3,054), and Bourque (3,415).
Records by right-handed players: Gordie Howe was right-handed, as is Ovi, so any time Ovi breaks a Howe record, he takes the right-handed crown, as well. However, Gretzky is left-handed.
Goal scored in wins: Ovi has scored 574 wins, second in NHL history behind Wayne Gretzky (635). The Caps will have to improve mightily the next few seasons for Ovi to get this record.
Total goaltenders scored against: Ovi has scored on 165 different goaltenders, the third highest total by a player in NHL history behind Jagr (178) and Patrick Marleau (177). This record is possible.
Game-opening goals: 135 goals by Ovechkin, tied with Jaromir Jagr (135). Ovi should get this record easily.
Sorting through more data, there are certainly far more records within reach for Ovi, most of which will fly under the radar due to the criteria (most goals by a left wing on the road on a Tuesday, for instance). That’s ok, though, as long as he passes Gretzky for most goals.
