NHL EDGE stats behind Ovechkin reaching 900 career goals

NHL.com's fantasy staff continues to cover the latest trends and storylines in the League through the lens of NHL EDGE puck and player tracker stats. Today, we look at the underlying metrics behind Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin reaching 900 career goals.

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After breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time NHL goal record last season, Alex Ovechkin has become the first player in history to reach 900 career goals and continues to thrive for the Washington Capitals in various advanced metrics.

Ovechkin’s goal against the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday marked his 138th career game-winning goal, which extends his NHL record in that category. The 40-year-old stands alone at the top of many League career leaderboards, including power-play goals (326), game-opening goals (150) and overtime goals (27). It was also Ovechkin’s NHL-record 425th goal after turning 30 years old.

He has scored three goals in his first 13 games this season and was among the NHL leaders in the category last season (44 in 65 games; tied for third in League) despite missing 17 games because of a broken leg. Playing all 21 of his NHL seasons with the Capitals, Ovechkin is tied for the most 50-goal seasons (nine; with Gretzky, Mike Bossy) in League history and also has the most 40-goal seasons (14) and 30-goal seasons (19).

Here are three underlying reasons behind Ovechkin’s continued goal-scoring prowess:

1. Shot speed

Ovechkin ranks among the forward leaders in both top shot speed (93.21 miles per hour; 97th percentile) and average shot speed (63.43 mph; 93rd percentile). Only six NHL forwards have had more 90-plus mph shot attempts than Ovechkin (two) this season.

The Capitals are tied for fifth in the NHL in 90-plus mph shot attempts (13) after finishing third in that category last season (105) behind the Edmonton Oilers (136) and Tampa Bay Lightning (115).

2. Midrange prowess

Ovechkin leads the Capitals and ranks in the 97th percentile among forwards in midrange shots on goal (18) this season. Two of his three goals have been midrange goals, as were 16 of his 44 goals last season (tied for seventh in entire NHL).

Ovechkin ranks second on Washington in shot attempts (90) behind defenseman Jakob Chychrun (95). Ovechkin’s 900th goal proves he continues to score in different, unique ways; that goal came on a 24.77-mph backhand shot from the right net side; Ovechkin, known for his prowess from the left circle, only scored four of his 44 goals last season from the right side and one from the right net side.

Since the NHL began tracking shots by type in 2009-10, Ovechkin leads the League in both wrist shot goals (274) and slap shot goals (183) and also ranks second in snap shot goals (142), showcasing his goal-scoring versatility. He’s tied for 14th in backhand goals (43) over that span.

3. Zone starts percentage

Ovechkin is among the NHL leaders in offensive zone start percentage (58; 99th percentile) and leads the League in percentage of 5-on-5 offensive zone face-offs (87.9) among players who have played multiple games this season. Only eight percent of Ovechkin’s shifts have begun with a defensive zone face-off, suggesting coach Spencer Carbery is deploying his captain in favorable situations to maximize his offense.

Whether during GR8 CHASE last season or the first month of this season, Ovechkin continues to benefit from the Capitals’ strong supporting cast. Washington ranks third in the NHL in 5-on-5 shot attempts percentage (54.9) behind the Colorado Avalanche (56.7) and Carolina Hurricanes (55.3). It’s also worth noting Washington is tied with the Pittsburgh Penguins for the most high-danger shots on goal (129) this season, indicating their offense is producing high-quality chances beyond just Ovechkin.

Even with some goal-scoring regression as a team (2.85 goals per game this season; tied for 19th) compared to last season (3.49; second behind Tampa Bay Lightning’s 3.56), the Capitals have remained an elite team thanks to goalie Logan Thompson. Among goalies who have played at least five games over the past two seasons combined, Thompson leads the NHL in points percentage (.769) and ranks second in winning percentage (.712; 37 wins in 52 games) behind Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets (.726; 53 wins in 73 games).

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Read more: Numbers behind Ovechkin’s GR8 CHASE | Fantasy impact