Alex Ovechkin is off to a hot start. The Washington Capitals’ 39-year-old captain was named the NHL’s First Star of the Week on Monday after scoring an NHL-best five goals in four games.
Ovechkin finished the week with nine total points and a +7 plus-minus rating, both tied for the best marks in the league from Oct. 28 through Sunday. The Great Eight has now scored in four straight games.
Monday’s award marked the 14th time that Ovechkin was named the NHL’s First Star of the Week.
Carolina Hurricanes forward Martin Necas and Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby — Ovechkin’s longtime rival — were named the second and third Stars of the Week.
Through 11 games, Ovechkin has tallied seven goals to lead the Capitals to an 8-3-0 record as he hunts Wayne Gretzky’s goals record. The Russian needs to score 35 more times to pass the Great One.
At his current pace, Ovechkin would become the all-time top goal-scorer next spring.
The Capitals return to action on Wednesday with a game against the Nashville Predators at Capital One Arena.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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