[12-DEC-2022] #OviWatch at 30 games played

Our Hero, Alex Ovechkin, now has 797 goals at (17/30) games played this season; he has not missed a game so far. The Caps' record is less than stellar so far this year, but they have just won their fourth in a row - a good streak to keep building on! 

Here's where he stacks up now:

Player               GP        Goals    vs. Ovi
Wayne Gretzky        1487      894        +97
Gordie Howe          1767      801        + 4
Alex Ovechkin        1304      797

I'm really rooting for Ovi this season! He is scoring at a rate of 0.566 goals per game, which puts him on pace for 46 goals this season, if he plays all 82 games. If he hits that, he will be at 826 career goals, well ahead of Gordie Howe, and he will have to score only 68 goals over the next three seasons to catch Gretzky (22 goals per season, with one season at 23 goals). 

Prediction (2022-23) 45 goals:

Player               GP        Goals    vs. Ovi
Wayne Gretzky        1487      894        +69
Alex Ovechkin        1362      825

Prediction (2023-24) 35 goals:

Player               GP        Goals    vs. Ovi
Wayne Gretzky        1487      894        +34
Alex Ovechkin        1442      860 

Prediction (2024-25) 30 goals: 

Player               GP        Goals    vs. Ovi
Alex Ovechkin        1522      895

Wayne Gretzky        1487      894        -1

Prediction (2025-26) 25 goals:

Player               GP        Goals    vs. Ovi
Alex Ovechkin        1522      920

Wayne Gretzky        1487      894        -26

I admit my math isn't always perfect, and I've probably erred somewhere here, but I stand by my numbers: When Ovi retires he will have a minimum of 920 goals, leaving Wayne Gretzky in the dust. All 920+ will have been scored for the same team, too!

I'm also saying this: If the Caps get both Wilson and Backstrom back this season, we will go deep in the playoffs, and may well win our second Stanley Cup. I want it to happen, so I am willing them to come back healthy and ready to play! 

#LetsGoCaps!