Maybe switching back to CCM was the secret. 2017-18 ended up being one of if not arguably the best seasons of Alex Ovechkin's career. We all know how it ended - a Stanley Cup, Conn Smythe trophy, and the (undeserved) choker label gone forever. But don't let the end of season hardware distract you from the Great 8's incredible achievements in the 82 games before April. After a 33-goal "down" year in 2016-17 Ovechkin, at age 32, responded with a 49-goal year - 1 shy of his 8th 50-goal season and the second time in his career he fell fewer than 5 short (here's an incredible stat for you: just 5 goals separate him from being tied with Gretzky and Bossy for the most 50-goal seasons in NHL history). Those 49 goals led the NHL, not only tying Bobby Hull for the most seasons leading the league in goals (7), but also making him the oldest player since Phil Esposito in 1974-75 (age 33) to lead the NHL in goals. A large reason for that increase was that he doubled his even-strength goal production from the prior year, scoring 32 at even strength. He also led the NHL with 19% of his team's goals, and led the Capitals in points for the 11th time in his career. 2017-18 was about silencing critics, ending frustration, and as usual, scoring a whole lot of goals.
1 - October 5, 2017 vs. Ottawa Senators - 0:00
2 - October 5, 2017 vs. Ottawa Senators - 1:03
3 - October 5, 2017 vs. Ottawa Senators - 2:15 - 18th career hat trick
4 - October 7, 2017 vs. Montreal Canadiens - 3:37*
5 - October 7, 2017 vs. Montreal Canadiens - 4:37
6 - October 7, 2017 vs. Montreal Canadiens - 5:34 - 19th career hat trick, first player in 100 years to score hat trick in first 2 games.
7 - October 7, 2017 vs. Montreal Canadiens - 6:45 - 4th career 4-goal game, 2nd most goals in first 2 games in NHL history.
8 - October 11, 2017 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins - 7:56
9 - October 13, 2017 vs. New Jersey Devils - 8:54
10 - October 20, 2017 vs. Detroit Red Wings - 9:53 - Passes Jaromir Jagr for most career OT goals (20)
11 - November 4, 2017 vs. Boston Bruins - 11:03
12 - November 6, 2017 vs. Arizona Coyotes - 11:54
13 - November 7, 2017 vs. Buffalo Sabres - 12:47
14 - November 22, 2017 vs. Ottawa Senators - 13:38
15 - November 24, 2017 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning - 14:28
16 - November 25, 2017 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs - 15:17*
17 - November 25, 2017 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs - 16:35
18 - November 25, 2017 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs - 17:24 - 20th career hat trick, Alex Luey celebration
19 - December 2, 2017 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets - 18:31
20 - December 4, 2017 vs. San Jose Sharks - 19:22
21 - December 6, 2017 vs. Chicago Blackhawks - 20:19
22 - December 14, 2017 vs. Boston Bruins - 21:10
23 - December 16, 2017 vs. Anaheim Ducks - 21:57
24 - December 28, 2017 vs. Boston Bruins - 23:03
25 - January 2, 2018 vs. Carolina Hurricanes - 23:48
26 - January 2, 2018 vs. Carolina Hurricanes - 24:41
27 - January 7, 2018 vs. St. Louis Blues - 25:44
28 - January 12, 2018 vs. Carolina Hurricanes - 26:30
29 - January 21, 2018 vs. Philadelphia Flyers - 27:19
30 - January 25, 2018 vs. Florida Panthers - 28:21
31 - February 2, 2018 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins - 28:58
32 - February 2, 2018 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins - 29:48
33 - February 11, 2018 vs. Detroit Red Wings - 30:25
34 - February 15, 2018 vs. Minnesota Wild - 31:17
35 - February 19, 2018 vs. Buffalo Sabres - 32:00
36 - February 20, 2018 vs. Tampa Bay Lightning - 32:41
37 - February 24, 2018 vs. Buffalo Sabres - 33:35
38 - February 24, 2018 vs. Buffalo Sabres - 34:30
39 - February 26, 2018 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets - 35:21
40 - March 3, 2018 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs - 36:02 - Stadium Series goal
41 - March 12, 2018 vs. Winnipeg Jets - 36:53
42 - March 12, 2018 vs. Winnipeg Jets - 37:43 - 600th career goal
43 - March 18, 2018 vs. Philadelphia Flyers - 39:23
44 - March 30, 2018 vs. Dallas Stars - 40:14
45 - March 26, 2018 vs. New York Rangers - 41:12
46 - April 2, 2018 vs. St. Louis Blues - 41:53
47 - April 5, 2018 vs. Nashville Predators - 42:36
48 - April 7, 2018 vs. New Jersey Devils - 43:32
49 - April 7, 2018 vs. New Jersey Devils - 44:24
* - highlight reel goal
All clips belong to the NHL. They are being used for entertainment purposes only, not for profit.
