WATCH – Alex Ovechkin “thrilled” to surpass ‘The White Tornado’ Wayne Gretzky for 40-goal season in NHL history, Twitter reacts

Caps honor Alex Ovechkin for passing Wayne Gretzky’s record to set a 40-goals season in NHL.

<strong>WATCH – Alex Ovechkin “thrilled” to surpass ‘The White Tornado’ Wayne Gretzky for 40-goal season in NHL history, Twitter reacts</strong>

Alex Ovechkin [Image Credit: Sporting News]

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin surpasses ‘The White Tornado’ Wayne Gretzky for a 40-goal season in NHL history with 13. The historic moment came during Tuesday’s game against Columbus Blue Jackets at Capital One Arena. Even though the Caps lost 6-7, Ovie snatched a personal record.

‘The Great Eight’ scored his 40th goal with an assist from Dylan Strome as the puck deflected from Blue Jackets defenceman Nick Blankenburg during the first period at 5:12. In his 16 NHL seasons, Ovechkin has scored at least 40 goals except for 3 seasons. 

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The three seasons came as exceptions due to NHL shortening the regular-season games. In 2012-13 he scored 32 goals in 48 games due to lockdown. In 2020-21, he recorded 24 goals in 45 games due to coronavirus effects. He celebrated his 6th 40-goal season after crossing legendary Phil Esposito for most in league history.

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Related: Caps to celebrate Alex Ovechkin surpassing legendary player Gordie Howe with 802nd goal in NHL All-Time list

Alex Ovechkin honored by team prior game against Blue Jackets

Caps honor Alex Ovechkin [Image credit: RMNB]
Caps honor Alex Ovechkin [Image credit: RMNB]

While celebrations were at the top peak, the Blues disappointed the Caps and their fans as they won the game at Capital One Arena in OT. Blue Jackets center Jack Roslovic took advantage of T.J. Oshie’s turnover to lead his team in the 6-7 victory. 

Prior to the game, the Caps took a 20-minute ice time to celebrate and honor Alex Ovechkin for crossing Gordie Howe’s record back on December 23. Apart from teammates, fans, and his family, Howe’s son, Mark was present to celebrate the moment with ‘The Great One’. 

Ovie missed some of the Capitals’ games due to family issues, and his health problems. In the team’s last 10 games, the captain recorded 10 goals. In no time he’ll pass Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy for most 50-goals season with 10. 

During the ice-time celebration, Ovechkin noted, “All the special nights are special”. “You can’t say only one, which one the best or better, which one is the worst, but every night is a cool moment, lots of memories.” Caps coach Peter Laviolette said, “Just well deserved to take a minute for what he’s accomplished and what he’s done”. 

“Just seeing the details of the night, it’s a pretty special night, and it’s well deserved.” NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Dally congratulated Ovie stating, “We’re thrilled for him, and we’re thrilled as a league to have him in our league and [he’s] been one of the best players in the League for 17 years“. 

“I personally have been very fortunate that I’ve been down here for a lot of games during that time period and have been thrilled like thousands, hundreds of thousands of fans. So happy for him, happy for his family, happy for the Capitals organization, happy for the team and the city.”

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