Alex Ovechkin Has Officially Reached An All-Time Low In His Career

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Hunter Bowman
December 15, 2023 (8:57 PM)

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Alex Ovechkin's goal drought is becoming a cause for concern as he's gone 11 games without finding the net, making it the longest dry spell in his 19-season career. With just five goals in 26 games, he's on track for his lowest-scoring season since being drafted in 2004.

Despite Coach Spencer Carbery expressing confidence in Ovechkin's mindset before Thursday's game against the Flyers, the captain's struggle is evident. Post-game, the stats speak volumes with

"203 individual players who have scored more goals than Ovechkin has this year."

Considering Ovechkin's pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goals record, the current situation is unexpected. Only 73 goals away from the milestone, it was initially a matter of when, not if, he'd break the record. However, his recent struggle to find the net is putting that achievement in jeopardy.

The cause of Ovechkin's scoring slump remains uncertain. Some attribute it to age, as he turned 38 in September. Others speculate on lingering injuries that may be impacting his performance. Last season, he dealt with various ailments, and despite an extended offseason for recovery, questions linger about potential ongoing issues.

Adding to the challenge is the absence of Nicklas Backstrom, Ovechkin's longtime playmaker. Backstrom's absence is palpable, as he has assisted on a significant portion of Ovechkin's career goals.

While Coach Carbery remains optimistic, emphasizing that it's only a matter of time before Ovechkin breaks out, the pressure is mounting. Fans and observers are eager to witness the star player return to his goal-scoring form sooner rather than later.

Source: Hockeyfeed