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Alex Ovechkin continues dominance over Vegas to bring him 28 closer to Wayne Gretzky

WIth a hat trick Sunday night, Alex Ovechkin is now up to 866 goals. He needs 28 to tie Wayne Gretzky's 894

ByMichael Marzzacco|
Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

The Washington Capitals continued their Western Conference domination with a 5-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. It came two nights after an impressive win in Colorado over the Avlanche. The road trip concludes Monday night against the Utah Hockey Club with a 9 p.m. eastern puck drop on Monumental Sports Network 2.

But we got a lot to unpack before the puck even drops in Utah Monday night thanks to the Great Eight himself. Alex Ovechkin notched a hat trick in the victory but let's dive into the numbers a little further.

Ovechkin's hat trick was the 31st of his illustrious career, the sixth most in NHL history. He is the 12th player in NHL history to score a hat trick at age 39 or older, joining Jean Beliveau, Johnny Bucyk (x2), Shane Doan, Gordie Howe (x4), Jaormir Jagr, Nicklas Lidstrom, Joe Nieuwendyk, Jean Ratelle, Luc Robitaille, Teemu Selanne, and Joe Thornton.

Ovechkin has scored 13 goals in 17 games this season averaging 0.76 goals per games played. Those 13 goals tie him for the NHL lead in goals with Sam Reinhart and Leon Draisaitl, both of whom are 10 years younger than Ovi at 29.

Ovechkin is the first player age 39 or older in NHL history to score 11 goals in a 10 game span. His 31 hat tricks are just one shy of Phil Esposito for the fifth most in NHL history. BUT Espositio never had one at age 39 or older.

"It's gonna stay forever, you know. The memories. The happiness that we have here from 2018, that's great. "
Alex Ovechkin

Not much but just enough from the Great Eight himself who mostly priased his teammates as well as the play in goaltending of Logan Thompson who went 2-0-0 against his former club and was emotional after the win. After all he went from signing autographs on draft weekend as a member of the Golden Knights to finding out he was a member of the Capitals. Ah viva Las Vegas indeed.

Now it's time to take it and move on and focus on Utah. That's where the team is heading next before finally returning home.

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