Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin notched his 40th goal of the 2022-23 NHL season Tuesday night against the Blue Jackets. In doing so, Washington’s captain set himself apart in league history, breaking the record for most 40-goal seasons ever.
The record was previously held by the legendary Wayne Gretzky, who recorded 12 such seasons throughout his career with the Oilers, Kings, Blues and Rangers. Including Tuesday night’s tally, Ovechkin now has 13 seasons with at least 40 goals, having reached the mark in all but five of his 18 seasons in the league.
The 37-year-old ranks eighth in the NHL with 40 goals this season, and he has 69 points on the year, which places him in the top 30 league-wide.
