#1 The GR8 Chase
The hottest question was if Alex Ovechkin could do it as early as this season or even reach 50 goals.
So far, so good.
Ovechkin has 10 goals and eight assists for 18 pionts as well as a plus/minus of plus nine and two game winning goals to boot. Six have come at even strength while two have come on the power play. In additon he is second to Tom Wilson among all forward with an average ice time of 18:02. And a reminder he's doing all of this at 39.
Prominent NHL alum Eric Lindros said he believes Ovechkin can do it:
"I think he might hit it this year, right? Like, if yo look at his pace here, he's ripping them and he's scoring them in bunches. "Eric Lindros to Bill Price of NHL.com
It took Ovechkin 45 games to reach 10 goals this season. This season he has 10 in 14 games putting him 31 away from tying Wayne Gretzky and needing 32 to pass.
Some insiders still think Ovechkin might not do it but Ovechkin doesn't need the critics. He's proven time and time again he can rise above it whether it's scoring goals or guiding the Caps to crucial wins in a competitive league.