It only took one game for Alex Ovechkin to get back on track. After all, most scorers are streaks and often score in groups. And Ovechkin might be the most dynamic of the group.

Despite the Washington Capitals coming out strong with five wins in seven games, Ovechkin started Tuesday’s game against the New York Rangers with just two goals. Including one scored on an empty net. But Ovechkin did what Ovechkin usually does when people start questioning his ability to break that record: he scored not one, but two goals.

As a result, the 39-year-old has four goals in eight games, putting him on pace for 41 goals. Which, funnily enough, would tie him to Wayne Gretzky. He needs 42 to break the record.

I spent all summer wondering if he would hit the record this season or if he would bleed into 2025-26. And honestly, I still struggle with the prediction. But what we saw against Rangers on Tuesday was vintage Ovi. He sent a wrist shot past Igor Shesterkin to open the scoring before rushing to the net a few minutes later to give Washington the lead again for its second goal. He also had five shots on goal, six more shot attempts and two hits. The Caps dominated the Rangers and outshot them 46-19.

What makes me lean more toward him reaching the mark this season is how Washington’s GM completely remade the roster around Ovechkin this offseason. A more competitive team increases Ovi’s chances of reaching the goal. The additions of Matt Roy, Jakub Chychrun, Taylor Raddysh, Andrew Mangiapane, Pierre-Luc Dubois, Jakub Vrana, Brandon Duhaime and Logan Thompson have completely changed their look and as a result, they are 6-2-0 to start the season. ‘year.

Speaking of goals, there were some crazy final scores on Tuesday.

The Seattle Kraken entered the Bell Center and annihilated the Montreal Canadiens, defeat them 8-2 led by defenseman Brandon Montour’s hat trick. And just above 401 in Ottawa, the Senators dominated at home against the St. Louis Blues, winning 8-1 thanks to two-goal performances from Tim Stutzle, Adam Gaudette and Brady Tkachuk.

Colorado Hockey Now

After the Avalanche’s loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, I wrote about what Colorado’s first 10 games looked like as a whole. My article to remember, available for CHN+ subscriberscovers all the key storylines and observations from the first segment of the season.

Colorado Hockey Now is on YouTube. CLICK HERE to subscribe.

Around the NHL

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins hosted Marc-Andre Fleury and the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday and lost 5-3. Fleury was able to dunk one last time on his former team in what is expected to be his final game in Pittsburgh – the team that drafted him first overall in 2003.

San Jose Hockey Now: The Sharks came back from a 4-1 third-period deficit Monday to defeat Utah. The day after, they overtook the Los Angeles Kings by a final score of 4-2 to claim their second victory of the season. Defenseman Jake Walman had three points in each game. I still really have no idea what Steve Yzerman was doing when he dumped Walman and attached a second round pick to him in the offseason. Just a terrible, terrible trade.

Detroit Hockey Now: Speaking of unloading the defender, the Red Wings shipped Olli Maatta to Utah Hockey Club Tuesday in exchange for a third-round pick. While the Red Wings have a surplus of defensemen capable of playing in the NHL, Utah needs help on defense. Sean Durzi and John Marino are out until at least February. They were also missing Michael Kesselring in their brutal loss to the Sharks on Monday due to illness.