(Caps Outsider)
Alex Ovechkin scored only 24 seconds into Tuesday’s game in Chicago. The first goal of the game was his 136th, breaking his tie with Jaromir Jagr for the best of all time. After Jagr is Brett Hull, with 131, and Gordie Howe, with 127.
Somehow, Wayne Gretzky is in 35th place on the all-time opening goal list, with 85.
But wait! There’s more. The goal was also Ovi’s 66th game-opening tally in a road game, passing Brett Hull for the most in NHL history. He’s in third place in first-goals for home games with 70, behind Howe (71) and Jagr (76).
The goal was also Ovechkin’s 798th of his career and snaps a career-best streak of four consecutive empty-net goals. Later in the period he scored his 799th. And then his 800th, but that’s a different story.
The #Gr8 mic'd up for 7️⃣9️⃣8️⃣ & 7️⃣9️⃣9️⃣!#ALLCAPS | @Enterprise pic.twitter.com/j8PIpiMAFH
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) December 14, 2022
