Top 3 storylines heading into Capitals preseason action
#1 Alex Ovechkin’s historic chase
Alex Ovechkin enters his 18th season in the NHL sitting at 780 goals. Last season he moved into third place all time and including first all time in goal scoring among European players.
Ovechkin, at the time of his contract that he signed last summer, needed to average 33 goals over the next five seasons to catch Wayne Gretzky. In year one of that contract extension, he scored 50.
That now brings the number down to 29 so he needs to average 29 goals over the next four years to break the record of 894 and become the top goal scorer in NHL history.
His 50 goal season was his ninth of his career. And he definitely would’ve had more if there were no lockouts or pandemics. He just turned 37 but he doesn’t want to slow down anytime soon.
Ovechkin is 20 goals away from 800 and 21 away to tie Gordie Howe for second all time. He could easily reach that number this season as long as he stays healthy. Good health up and down the board is paramount to this Capitals team if they want any shot at getting to the playoffs and ending their first round woes.
Must Read. Top 3 burning questions Capitals must answer in preseason. light
Those are our top 3 storylines heading into the preseason. Be sure to come out to MedStar Capitals Iceplex to check out a training camp practice. Today was just skate tests but tomorrow is when the real action begins.