Alex Ovechkin breaks record for most goals scored by a goalie, beating Leevi Merilainen to reach 179

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) – Alex Ovechkin broke the NHL record for most goals by a goaltender, beating Leevi Merilainen in overtime to give the Washington Capitals a 1-0 win over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night.

Merilainen became it 179. goalkeeper Ovechkin has scored against and broken a tie with Jaromir Jagr atop the career list. The 22-year-old rookie from Finland appeared in his eighth game in the league.

“You have to know when he’s on the ice he’s going to shoot everything like he did today,” Merilainen said.

Ovechkin’s goal came on his third shot on net and fifth attempt. He took a pass from Rasmus Sandin on a 2-on-1 breakaway and fired it past Merilainen.

“I knew I had to take a shot as soon as I can because I thought maybe he thought I might give it back to Sandy,” Ovechkin said.

“It was a good one and it went in, so I’ll take it.”

Earlier in January, Ovechkin scored for the 28th time on Marc-Andre Fleury, tops among all the netminders he has faced since arriving in North America in 2005.

Ovechkin is chasing Wayne Gretzky’s career goal record. With no. 874, he moved 21 away from passing Gretzky’s mark of 894, which had long seemed unapproachable.

The 39-year-old winger continues to score at a pace not seen in hockey history. Ovechkin is on pace to hit 895 and above this spring.

Ovechkin’s goal against Ottawa was his 21st of the season in just his 29th game – he missed 16 games due to a broken left leg. He has hit 20 in all 20 of his seasons in the league, including 2013, when a lockout shortened it to 48 games, and 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic cut the schedule to 56 games.

The Capitals – with 30 wins, 10 losses and five overtime losses – are at the top of the NHL standings.

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