Capitals: Alex Ovechkin rightfully wins Rocket Richard Trophy
Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin adds another trophy to his case.
Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals and David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins each led the league with 48 goals each before the season was paused due to the novel coronavirus. As a result of the rest of the regular season getting canceled Ovechkin and Pastrnak will share the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy.
For Pastrnak and his Presidents Trophy winning Boston Bruins, it’s the first Rocket Richard Trophy of his career. Ovechkin takes it home for the third straight season and ninth time overall.
Ovechkin led the NHL in goals for the third straight season, scoring 49 in the Cup winning season and 51 goals last year. He also leads the league in goals for an NHL record ninth time including two more seasons than left winger Bobby Hull.
More from Capitals News
- Breaking down the Rookie Camp roster
- Hear what Magic Johnson said about Alex Ovechkin
- Capitals announce Rookie Camp schedule
- Breaking down the 2023-24 Capitals national TV schedule
- Capitals Alumni Weekend is coming back
The Moscow, Russia native became the eighth member of the NHL’s 700 goal club on Feb. 22 against the New Jersey Devils, making him both the second youngest player (34 years and 158 days) and second fastest (1,144 games played) to reach the milestone behind only Wayne Gretzky when he achieved the feat at 29 years old and 342 days, 886 games played.
Ovechkin achieved this mark after he compiled four hat tricks earlier in the season including two straight hat tricks on Jan. 16 vs. the Devils and two days later at the New York Islanders.
Since he joined the NHL in 2005-06, Ovechkin has scored 244 more goals than any other player. His career average of 0.61 goals per game ranks fourth in league history among players with at least 500 appearances trailing only Mike Bossy (0.76), Mario Lemieux (0.75) and Pavel Bure (0.62).
We are lucky as Capitals fans to get to watch a player like Ovechkin night after night. He fills the stands as fans young and old flock to Capital One Arena for a chance to witness greatness before our eyes.
Ovechkin was unfairly robbed of another 50-goal season with 13 games that could’ve been played needing just two more goals but thankfully the silver lining through this is he gets to add another Rocket Richard Trophy to his collection.
Must Read. Capitals: 5 Under-Appreciated Goals in the Ovechkin Era. light
I’m intrigued to see how he carries this momentum into the 24-team playoff tournament. I can only see the extra time off helping a player heal. If that’s the case look out, because everyone knows as cool as the Rocket Richard Trophy is, it’s nothing compared to the ultimate prize which the Caps are going for.