Washington Capitals star captain Alex Ovechkin continues to soar and become one of the NHL’s greatest of all time. On Dec. 31. 2021, Ovechkin broke yet another record in the third period of their last game of the year vs. the Detroit Red Wings in Detroit, Mich. 

   Prior to this New Year’s Eve game, 36-year-old Ovechkin tied Hall of Famer Dave Andreychuk’s total of 274 power-play goals in a Dec. 15 5-4 overtime loss versus the Chicago Blackhawks. Ovechkin reached that total while playing six fewer seasons than Andreychuk. Ovechkin broke the NHL record for most power-play goals in the league by scoring No. 275  for the Washington Capitals. Ovechkin was tied with Andreychuk before scoring with 2:51 left in the third period. This special goal was scored just as the Red Wings minor 2-minute penalty was expiring. Although Ovechkin’s record-breaking goal was considered as an “even-strength” goal, the Capitals requested a timing review, and the goal was changed. 

   With all of these power-play goals, 112 of them have been off of one-timer shots from inside or above the left face-off circle. Evgeny Kuznetsov and Nicklas Backstrom each had an assist on Ovechkin’s record-setting goal. Backstrom has had assists on 116 of Ovechkin’s 275 power-play goals. Ovechkin has scored 754 NHL goals, fourth in NHL history behind Jaromir Jagr (766), Gordie Howe (801) and Wayne Gretzky (894). At the time this was published, Ovechkin had 275 power-play goals and is on his way to scoring many more.