First a celebrated hero, then injured: Alexander Ovechkin. © APA / PATRICK SMITH

The Ovechkin phenomenon: He scores and scores and scores

This man is simply unbelievable: At 39 years old, Alexander Ovechkin is literally destroying the NHL. However, a leg injury could now slow him down.

19 November 2024

From: apa/dpa

Alexander Ovechkin is solo at the top of the scoring charts after scoring a brace and has further reduced the gap to Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record 24 hours after a hat trick.

The 39-year-old scored the 6-2 (3th) and 1-12 (4th/PP) goals in the Washington Capitals' 1-26 away win against Utah HC before being injured in the 46th minute after a collision with Utah striker Jack McBain.
“Ovi” has scored 18 goals in 15 games this season and now has 868 NHL goals. He is only 27 goals away from Gretzky’s record (894).

Three days after his first goal, Austria's rookie Marco Kasper scored his second goal in the NHL on Monday. The 20-year-old from Carinthia converted a rebound during the Detroit Red Wings' guest appearance at the San Jose Sharks to give the Red Wings a 2-1 lead (19th minute). San Jose won the match between the bottom teams in the Atlantic (Detroit) and the Pacific Division 5-4 after overtime.

Montreal celebrates in traditional duel

Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers lost the traditional Canadian duel against the Montreal Canadiens 0-3 and suffered their second consecutive defeat in the NHL.

The Canadiens celebrated a shutout victory in front of their home fans. © APA / MINAS PANAGIOTAKIS

After more than 39 goalless minutes, Brendan Gallagher put the record champions in the lead. Kaiden Guhle and Jake Evans (into the Oilers' empty net) made it the final score in the final period. Montreal's goalie Sam Montembeault saved a total of 30 shots. Oilers superstar Connor McDavid only managed a single shot on goal.