Alex Ovechkin's Goal Scoring Record Chase

[getbak]

Originally Posted by activeStick

Which doesn't immediately come to mind for me if someone were to ask me how OV went about scoring his goals. My memory tells me instead that he was streaky, could go 3, 4 maybe 5 games without a goal, but then he'd score 9 or 10 goals in the next 4 games, which I would assume would include a hat trick within those streaks. So yeah, the low hat trick count is surprising.

Out of curiosity, I looked up Ovechkin and Gretzky's number of goals scored in a game:

Gretzky, in 1487 total games played:

• 5 goals in a game 4 times
• 4 goals in a game 9 times
• 3 goals in a game 37 times
• 2 goals in a game 139 times
• 1 goal in a game 449 times
• 0 goals in a game 849 times

Ovechkin, in 1512 total games played:

• 5 goals in a game 0 times
• 4 goals in a game 4 times
• 3 goals in a game 29 times
• 2 goals in a game 147 times
• 1 goal in a game 510 times
• 0 goals in a game 822 times

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by getbak

The NHL was much higher-scoring in Gretzky's time.

Since Ovechkin entered the league, the Capitals have scored an average of 3.08 goals/game. During Gretzky's time with the Oilers, they averaged 4.83 goals/game.

In fact, the lowest scoring team during Gretzky's time with the Oilers was New Jersey/Colorado, who averaged 3.26 goals/game. The highest scoring team since Ovechkin entered the league is Vegas, who average 3.22 goals/game.

Originally Posted by Samonadreau

Because game scores were regularly 8-5 in the 80's.

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Also, that was when Gretzky scored most of his goals. Ovechkin's scoring has been a lot steadier throughout his career – never more than 65 in a season, but eight other 50-goal seasons and another five 40-goal seasons. Gretzky started his NHL career with eight consecutive seasons ranging from 51 to 92 goals, but after his first three years in L.A., he never again topped 40. When you score that many goals in the earlier part of your career, you're bound to get a lot of hat tricks.

I remember the 80's, having lived through most of them as a teenager. I just found it odd that a guy with 900+ goals only scored 3 or more in a game 33 times. Him and Gretz are what, like 8 goals apart now, and Gretz had 50 hattys in one less season played.

You guys are right though, I forgot how front-loaded 99's totals were. I mean, he got out before he really went downhill by average-player standards - but he had already been downhill by Gretzky standards for a few seasons prior.

Just really emphasizes the distance that Ovie's peak has covered.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Robbob

I know this is the Ovechkin thread, but looking at the career point totals, Crosby would probably be chasing 2000 if not for those few injury plagued seasons early in his career.

The one that always gets me is Mario Lemieux.

8th All-Time having played less than 1000 games. Imagine where he'd have been if he had stayed healthy.

[Locke]

Mario Lemieux:

Games Played - 915
Goals - 690
Assists - 1,033
Points - 1,723

Give him the same number of games as the average of the Top 5 and Gretzky is firmly in his rearview mirror.

"Great One" my ass. Lemieux should have his number retired league wide.

Didn't even get a Silver Stick and he's still in the Top 10.

[Sofa GM]

Originally Posted by Locke

Mario Lemieux:

Games Played - 915
Goals - 690
Assists - 1,033
Points - 1,723

Give him the same number of games as the average of the Top 5 and Gretzky is firmly in his rearview mirror.

"Great One" my ass. Lemieux should have his number retired league wide.

Didn't even get a Silver Stick and he's still in the Top 10.

Lemiuex is far and away the best player to ever lace up skates. It’s not really close.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Sofa GM

Lemiuex is far and away the best player to ever lace up skates. It’s not really close.

In terms of skill and athletic ability, absolutely. Where Gretzky is ahead is that he changed how the game was played.

I remember watching some bloody awful hockey before he came along, with no-talent expansion teams trying to imitate the Broad Street Bullies. Move the puck five feet along the boards, freeze it in their skates, get a whistle. Faceoff, carry the puck to the boards, move it five feet, freeze it, another whistle. I remember when they changed the rules to make it illegal for a player to freeze the puck against the boards with his skates – it was that common.

Suddenly, Gretzky showed the world that you could use the whole ice surface and make beautiful east-west plays, and it wasn't all about board play anymore. I think the only other player who changed the game as much was Bobby Orr, who showed that a defenceman can be the play driver on offence.

In terms of the whole package, athleticism, skill, vision, there was nobody to compare with Lemieux.

[Jason14h]

Originally Posted by Locke

Mario Lemieux:

Games Played - 915
Goals - 690
Assists - 1,033
Points - 1,723

Give him the same number of games as the average of the Top 5 and Gretzky is firmly in his rearview mirror.

"Great One" my ass. Lemieux should have his number retired league wide.

Didn't even get a Silver Stick and he's still in the Top 10.

Wayne had 2265 points in his first 1000 games.......

I don't see Mario getting 540 points in those 85 games

It's what makes Ovy even more amazing. He defies time (as does Crosby)