An empty net in hockey is when a team removes its goaltender from the ice, leaving its goal unattended. It’s a calculated risk. By removing the goalie, a team gains an extra skater, increasing its offensive firepower. But the move also leaves a squad vulnerable on the defensive end.
No player in NHL history has taken advantage of that vulnerability more than Alex Ovechkin. The Washington Capitals left wing scored the 57th empty-net goal of his career on Feb. 10, 2024, breaking a tie with Wayne Gretzky for the most all time. The record-shattering goal came at the 19:33 mark in the third period of a 3-0 win against the Boston Bruins.
Gretzky scored his 56 career empty-netters in 1,487 games, while Ovechkin needed 1,394 games to break the mark. Here’s a look at the players with the most empty-net goals in NHL history:
-
Alex Ovechkin, 64
-
Wayne Gretzky, 56
-
Marian Hossa, 40
-
Brad Marchand, 38
-
Sidney Crosby, 36
-
Eric Staal, 33
-
Mario Lemieux, 33
-
Jarome Iginla, 32
-
Sebastian Aho, 31
-
Blake Wheeler, 31
Check out the ESPN NHL hub page for the latest news, features, stats, schedules and more.
Source link
