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Washington Capitals: In appreciation of Alex Ovechkin and chasing down Wayne Gretzky

By Andrew Gillis

Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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Lucky Number 13

KRT STAND ALONE PHOTOGRAPH BY GEORGE BRIDGES/KRT (November 16) Washington’s Alex Ovechkin (8) is shown during a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday, November 15, 2005, in Washington, DC. (Photo by George Bridges/MCT/MCT via Getty Images)
KRT STAND ALONE PHOTOGRAPH BY GEORGE BRIDGES/KRT (November 16) Washington’s Alex Ovechkin (8) is shown during a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday, November 15, 2005, in Washington, DC. (Photo by George Bridges/MCT/MCT via Getty Images) /

Ovechkin has 658 career goals right now, good for 13th all-time in NHL history. Were he to retire today, he’s already booked a first-class ticket to the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The next closest active player is Patrick Marleau in 28th, with 551 goals. Marleau began playing in 1997. Ovechkin did in 2005.

Ovechkin has scored 50 or more goals eight times in his career, including this past season, on his way to yet another Rocket Richard Trophy.

LAS VEGAS, NV – JUNE 24: Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals poses with the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy during the 2014 NHL Awards at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas on June 24, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JUNE 24: Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals poses with the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy during the 2014 NHL Awards at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas on June 24, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

The Rocket Richard Trophy was introduced in 1999 as a way to honor Canadiens great Maurice Richard. And since the trophy’s inception, many outstanding players have earned the honor.

Sidney Crosby, Jarome Iginla, Pavel Bure and Steven Stamkos have all won the award twice. But they’re all tied for second — because Alex Ovechkin has won the award eight times since 2005.

He’s also got the record for times leading the league in goals in a season, too. Brett Hull led in scoring seven times. Esposito led six times, Howe five times, Gretzky five times, Lemieux three times, to name a few.

To put it plainly, Ovechkin currently has three more seasons leading the NHL in goal-scoring than the guy the award is named after.

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