[01-FEB-2017] #OviWatch - 549 in 889

As of last night's loss to the New York Islanders (wherein Ovi got pulled down behind the net with seconds to go, setting up a lovely empty netter for the victorious cheating Isles), Our Hero has 24 goals in 50 games on the season. That brings him to 549 goals in 889 games, career, tying him with Ron Francis. Next up is John Bucyk.

#20.....Mark Recchi..........577 G..........1652 GP

#21.....Mike Bossy...........573 G...........752 GP

#22.....Mats Sundin..........564 G..........1346 GP

#23.....Joe Nieuwendyk.......564 G..........1257 GP

#24.....Mike Modano..........561 G..........1499 GP

#25.....Guy Lafleur..........560 G..........1126 GP

#26.....John Bucyk...........556 G..........1540 GP

#27.....Alex Ovechkin........549 G...........889 GP

#27.....Ron Francis..........549 G..........1731 GP

#29.....Michel Goulet........548 G..........1089 GP

#30.....Maurice Richard......544 G...........978 GP

#31.....Stan Mikita..........541 G..........1394 GP

#32.....Keith Tkachuk........538 G..........1201 GP

Johnny Bucyk - One of the 100 Greatest Players in NHL History 

Born May 12, 1935, Bucyk (nicknamed "Chief") is one of the Top 100 NHL Players in History. Bucyk, at left wing, began his NHL career for the 1955-56 Detroit Red Wings, played 6 games in the then-WHL Edmonton Flyers, and returned to the Red Wings for the full 1956-57 season before being traded to the Boston Bruins for goaltender Terry Sawchuk.

Bucyk would play the rest of his career for Boston; he now acts as the team's Ambassador, after serving as the team's director of road services, and has been with the Bruins for 58 consecutive years. FIFTY EIGHT consecutive years! That's longer than this blogger's been alive! 

Bucyk's playing career ended after the 1977-78 season with his #9 jersey being retired by the Bruins. He still holds the team record for goals, although his records for points and assists were later surpassed by Ray Bourque. 

It will take Ovi another 7 goals to catch Bucyk. At his present rate, .48 goals per game, Ovi is on pace for around 40 goals this season... he will need to step it up to get the 51 I projected for him, but 40 will put him at 565 goals career, just ahead of #22 Mats Sundin. I still think he has the opportunity to step up his scoring pace; if the Caps can keep playing at the level they have been (last night's unfortunate loss notwithstanding), I'm not worried. He'll get there.