The Calgary Flames visited Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night, picking up a critical 3-1 victory. It was Ovechkin's 27th career game against the Flames, a club where he has had moderate success, with 18 goals, 16 assists, and 34 points.
Considering that Ovechkin is just 12 goals shy of tying Wayne Gretzky's career goal record of 895, this may be the final time he plays against Calgary before becoming the game's all-time leading scorer.
Oct 26, 2013; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Calgary Flames goalie Karri Ramo (31) makes a save against a shot from Washington Capitals right wing Alex Ovechkin (8) as Calgary Flames defenseman T.J. Brodie (7) defends during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn ImagesHere is a look back at his career statistics against the Flames thus far.
Flames Goalies Scored On
Although Ovechkin has scored 18 times against Calgary, he's only lit the lamp on seven goalies: Miikka Kiprusoff (six), Karri Rämö (three), Brian Elliott (one), Cam Talbot (one), Dan Vladar (three), Jacob Markstrom (one), and Dustin Wolf (two).
Ovechkin's Multi-Goal Games Against Calgary
Ovechkin has never scored a hat trick against the Flames, one of 11 teams he has yet to achieve the feat against. However, he's recorded five two-goal games, including the night he scored his first goal against the club.
- Mar. 12, 2008 v. Kiprusoff
- Oct. 30, 2010 v. Kiprusoff (at Saddledome)
- Oct. 3, 2013 v. Rämö
- Mar. 8, 2022 v. Vladar (at Saddledome)
- Mar. 18, 2024 v. Wolf (at Saddledome)
Deeper Look Into His Goal Totals
- Unsurprisingly, Ovechkin, who owns the NHL record with 320 power-play goals, has dominated the Flames on the man advantage, with 12 of his career goals coming on special teams.
- The Great 8 has succeeded on the road and at home when playing Calgary. He's tallied ten goals at home and eight at the Saddledome.
- Ovechkin hasn't had much luck getting goals in the opening period against the Flames, with only one first-period goal. However, he's got 12 second-period goals, with five in the third.
- When Ovechkin scores against Calgary, the Capitals are 15-2-1 with two shootout victories.
- Although Ovechkin didn't score a goal against the Flames until No. 153, he's tallied at least one every other hundred milestones he'd reached, including career goal numbers: 154, 265, 275, 276, 318, 373, 374, 479, 554, 665, 735, 765, 766, 791, 842, 843, and 883.
- Finally, Ovechkin also owns the NHL record for most game winners with 135, with four of them coming against the Flames including these contests:
- Mar. 12, 2008 (3-2)
- Oct. 30, 2010 (7-2) at Saddledome
- Mar. 8, 2022 (5-4) at Saddledome
- Mar. 18, 2024 (5-2) at Saddledome
As discussed, Ovechkin has 18 goals against the Flames, which ranks 20th among opponents he's faced in his career. Moreover, with a 13.5 shooting percentage, which ranks 16th, the Great 8 has found success in limited opportunities against Calgary, including another third-period goal on Tuesday night.