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NHL Notebook: Alexander Ovechkin scored in his fourth straight game
Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) shoots the puck against the Calgary Flames during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome.
Photo credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Feb 7, 2025, 17:30 ESTUpdated: Feb 9, 2025, 18:49 EST
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Alexander Ovechkin is inching ever so close to breaking the National Hockey League goal record.
His Washington Capitals faced off against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday evening, with the “Great 8” scoring the game-tying goal late in the first period, as the Capitals went on to win 4-3. This was Ovechkin’s 26th goal of the season.
More importantly though, this was his 879th goal of his career, trailing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record of 894 by just 15, meaning he needs 16 more goals in the Capitals’ remaining 28 games to surpass the Great One.
Ovechkin has been playing well over the past week and a bit. After scoring just three goals in 11 games from Jan. 6 until Jan. 28, he’s now on a four-goal streak with a goal against the Ottawa Senators, Winnipeg Jets, Florida Panthers, and the Flyers. I was fortunate enough to witness him score against the Senators on Jan. 30.
The 39-year-old playing like he’s in his prime has helped the Capitals as well. With 91 points in 2023-24, they barely snuck into the playoffs thanks to a tiebreaker. Through 54 games, their 36-11-7 record with 79 points is tops in the league, tied with the Jets with one fewer game played.
Hopefully, Ovechkin is able to break the record this season.

Canucks trade Mark Friedman to the Predators

The trade deadline is a month away, but you wouldn’t know it with all the trades that have been happening in recent times. On Friday, the ever-busy Vancouver Canucks traded depth defenceman Mark Friedman to the Nashville Predators for future considerations.
Friedman, 29, was selected in the third round of the 2014 draft by the Philadelphia Flyers. His action in the NHL has been limited, playing just 93 games in seven seasons where he has four goals and 13 points. In five games with the Canucks this season, the right-shot defenceman was held pointless with 10 penalty minutes. 
With their American Hockey League team, he had a goal and six points in 20 games. Friedman’s best season came in 2021-22 with the Pittsburgh Penguins, scoring a goal and five points in 26 games. 
It’s not a bad depth add for the Predators, as they have the third-fewest points in the league with an 18-27-7 record. Perhaps they’re looking to make a trade before the Mar. 7 trade deadline?

Jason Dickinson out week-to-week

Speaking of teams that will sell at the 2025 trade deadline, the Chicago Blackhawks will be without Jason Dickinson due to an ankle injury
The injury was sustained in the Chicago Blackhawks’ 4-3 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday during the second period. It’s a tough loss for one of the worst teams in the league, as Dickinson is one of the best defensive centres in the league.
He also chips in on the offence, as the 29-year-old has seven goals and 16 points in 53 games this season. Dickinson is coming off a career year in 2023-24 where he scored 22 goals and 35 points, the only time in his career he’s had double-digit goals.
Thanks for reading! You can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.
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