NHL : Ovechkin makes history with 30-goal season at 40, Capitals triumph

Alex Ovechkin scores twice, reaching the 30-goal mark for the record-extending 20th time in his NHL career. The Washington Capitals triumph over the Philadelphia Flyers 6-4. This milestone puts Ovechkin three seasons ahead of the next closest player, Mike Gartner, with 17. He’s achieved this feat in all but one season, missing only in the COVID-shortened 2020-21 campaign.

At 40 years old, Ovechkin joins NHL legends Gordie Howe, Teemu Selanne, and Johnny Bucyk as the only players to score 30 goals in a season at that age. His two goals contribute to his 185th career multigoal game, trailing only Wayne Gretzky with 189. Tom Wilson also shines with two goals, while Jakob Chychrun adds a goal and two assists. Ryan Leonard chips in with a goal and an assist.

The Capitals secure their third consecutive win, aiming for a playoff spot. Travis Sanheim, Carl Grundstrom, Christian Dvorak, and Denver Barkey score for the Flyers, but their three-game winning streak ends. Wilson opens the scoring in his 900th career game, followed by Ovechkin’s first goal, giving Washington an early lead. Despite a second-period comeback by Philadelphia, Ovechkin's one-timer seals the victory with his 928th career goal.