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Capitals: 3 ways Alex Ovechkin can become NHL’s all-time top scorer

By Michael Marzzacco

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 04: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring his third goal of the game for a hat trick against the Los Angeles Kings in the third period at Capital One Arena on February 04, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 04: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals celebrates after scoring his third goal of the game for a hat trick against the Los Angeles Kings in the third period at Capital One Arena on February 04, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 04: Capitals left wing Alexander Alex Ovechkin (8) waves to the crowd after his hat trick and 698th goal of his career during the Los Angeles Kings vs. Washington Capitals NHL game on February 4, 2020 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 04: Capitals left wing Alexander Alex Ovechkin (8) waves to the crowd after his hat trick and 698th goal of his career during the Los Angeles Kings vs. Washington Capitals NHL game on February 4, 2020 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.. (Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Durability

If Alex Ovechkin can keep his durability going, there’s no doubt he can become the NHL’s top all-time scorer. The insane part about Ovechkin is the older he is getting the better he is playing. He has outdone himself again this season already with 40 goals and two away from 700.

Very rarely has Ovechkin missed a game due to injury, rest or the occasional suspension. In terms of 82-game seasons, Ovechkin’s lowest amount of games played came in 2009-10 when he played in 72 games. That year Ovechkin got hurt in a shoving match with Jason Chimera, then of the Columbus Blue Jackets. He also had a pair of suspensions from hits.

It’s rare for a player that plays a physical game like Ovechkin, going down the ice like a freight train night after night to be as healthy as he has and it’s a testament to the way he trains off the ice.

The scary part about watching him today, at least for other fan bases that need to take warning, is I still think he hasn’t reached his ceiling and this season could be very telling of if he can reach it. Can he have a 60 goal season by season’s end at the rate he’s going?

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