Alex Ovechkin kicks off 2017-18 season with hat trick
Alex Ovechkin continues to do what he’s done for the 12 seasons before: score goals. Ovechkin started off his 13th NHL season with a hat trick against the Ottawa Senators.
The Russian sniper Alex Ovechkin continues to defy the ‘logic’ of many who say he’s on his decline. While many aren’t expecting him to challenge for the Hart Trophy, it’s safe to say he hasn’t lost his scoring touch.
The 32-year-old has kicked off his 13th season in the NHL with a hat trick. What is more of an Ovechkin feat than that? And staying in line with traditionally Ovechkin-esque trends, his first goal is something just about everyone has seen before.
The puck comes across the crease to a waiting Ovechkin who then picks his spot and puts the puck over the shoulder of Ottawa goaltender Craig Anderson.
Ovi goal #1 pic.twitter.com/POEImuA25p
— steph (@myregularface) October 6, 2017
His second goal of the night came from the home plate area, receiving a nice soft pass from teammate Evgeni Kuznetzov. He capitalized on this nice set-up pass and one-timed it into a virtually open net.
12 years ago today Ovi started his career with a 2-goal performance #ALLCAPS#CapsSens on @NBCSWashington https://t.co/uxlLiq5PRm
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) October 6, 2017
As stated in the Capitals tweet, Ovechkin started his NHL career 12 years ago with a two-goal performance. What better way to celebrate 12 years than one-upping that and getting a hat trick?
The third, and final, goal of Ovechkin’s night was one that showed off his hockey IQ and strength. Ovechkin stood next to a board battle, and as soon as the puck was poked free he pounced. He took the puck, fought off a Senators skater and fired in his third goal of the night to complete the hat trick.
https://twitter.com/Capitals/status/916123068787052544
Next: NHL division previews: 2017-18 Metropolitan Division
Another note of interest on this hat trick is how close it brings Ovechkin from putting him in the company of The Great One, Wayne Gretzky. If Ovechkin hits the 30-goal mark again this season he will then be tied with Gretzky for the second-most seasons to start an NHL career with 30-or-more goals (13).
If he looks like this on open night, it’s a safe bet he can bag 27 more in 81 games.