Alex Ovechkin scores 34th career hat trick against an NHL record 21st different team Alex Ovechkin led the Washington Capitals to a 7-4 victory over the Utah Mammoth on Thursday night, marking a historic night for the 40-year-old forward. In his second visit to Utah’s Delta Center, Ovechkin recorded his 34th career hat trick, scoring twice on former teammate Vitek Vanecek and once into an empty net. The goals marked his 924th, 925th, and 926th career goals, solidifying his place among the NHL’s all-time scoring leaders. Ovechkin now has two hat tricks in his age-40 season, following a performance against the Montreal Canadiens in November. At 40 years and 190 days, he is the sixth-oldest player to score a hat trick, surpassing his own previous record. He is also the third player in NHL history to achieve two hat tricks in a single season at age 40 or older, joining Johnny Bucyk (1975-76) and Gordie Howe (1968-69). With this milestone, Ovechkin surpassed Brett Hull for sole possession of fourth place in the league’s all-time hat trick list. The Mammoth became the 21st team Ovechkin has recorded a hat trick against, breaking the previous record held by Hull. Vanecek, the Mammoth’s goaltender, was the 189th different netminder Ovechkin has scored on, extending his own record. Prior to the game, Vanecek was the active goaltender with the most saves against Ovechkin without allowing a goal. Ovechkin’s goals came in key moments during the game. His first goal came in the second period, with the Capitals trailing 3-1. Martin Fehervary passed to Rasmus Sandin, who fed Ovechkin, allowing him to beat Vanecek for his 27th goal of the season. The second goal followed a sustained Capitals attack, with Dylan Strome passing to Ovechkin at the point. He fired a wrister into the top corner, past a screened Vanecek.#utah_mammoth #washington_capitals #alex_ovechkin #delta_center #vitek_vanecek
