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Is There Anyone Who Can Outscore Alex Ovechkin? Betting Odds for His New Goal Record
In a recent game, Alex Ovechkin scored the only goal for the Washington Capitals during their 4-1 defeat against the New York Islanders. While this might usually be seen as a minor note in the match report, it's noteworthy because it marked the historic 895th goal of his NHL career.Ontario sports betting It took over three decades for a player to break Wayne Gretzky's record as the NHL's all-time top goal scorer. Many believed that Gretzky's achievement would last for an eternity, but now, the same speculation surrounds Ovechkin. Even at the age of 39, he has the potential to significantly increase his goal tally, possibly nearing 1,000 career regular-season goals before retiring.
As we look ahead to the Stanley Cup playoffs, deereplanet.com is eager to explore potential contenders who might surpass Ovechkin's scoring milestones in the current league. The odds associated with these players are intended solely for entertainment and are not available at any
Recognized Sportsbook that Offers Competitive Betting OptionsOntario sports betting apps operator.
If anyone is likely to surpass Ovechkin's record, they are probably young bantam hockey players. Among current NHL veterans, only Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs stands out as a serious contender.
| Player (Career Goals) | Team | Odds | Percent Chance |
| Auston Matthews (398) | Toronto Maple Leafs | +900 | 10% |
| Wyatt Johnston (87) | Dallas Stars | +5000 | 2% |
| Matvei Michkov (24) | Philadelphia Flyers | +9900 | 1% |
| Macklin Celebrini (21) | San Jose Sharks | +9900 | 1% |
| Another Current Active Player | +20000 | 0.5% | |
| Record Stays Intact For Next 20+ Years | -590 | 85.5% |
as the team gears up for its first playoff round.
Check outToronto Maple Leafs Stanley Cup odds Matthews has netted 398 goals across 623 games, and at 27 years old, his performance trajectory is notably better than Ovechkin's was at a similar age. By the end of the 2013-14 season, Ovechkin, at 28, had scored 422 goals in 679 games, averaging 0.621 goals per game, whereas Matthews boasts a slightly superior average of 0.639.
However, Ovechkin went on to secure five additional goal-scoring titles in the six seasons that followed. In contrast, Matthews has claimed three titles since the shortened 2020-21 season, including a remarkable 69 goals last year—the highest total for an NHL player since Mario Lemieux achieved the feat in the 1995-96 season. Bet options are available for
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To summarize, elite goal scorers in the league are becoming increasingly rare. While the NHL features numerous high-caliber playmakers like Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon, they, akin to Ovechkin's longtime adversary Sidney Crosby, often facilitate goals for teammates rather than solely focusing on scoring themselves, which is why they are not being considered for this discussion.
Why The Record Will Be Hard To Break
Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers is on the brink of achieving his 400th career goal with his next score. Although he currently leads the league with 52 goals this season, he's almost two years Matthews' senior. Expecting him to achieve over 500 goals after turning 30 is a tall order, which is why he hasn't been included in the list of contenders.
Betting on Draisaitl’s Oilers to win the Stanley Cup is the top choice among hockey enthusiasts at
. They currently sit at odds of +850. Meanwhile, bets on Matthews' Maple Leafs to take home the trophy are being offered at +1200, making them the second-most favored option.888sport Ontario Sportsbook For the next potential goal-scoring champion, consistency will be key. This likely means they will need to be a leading scorer since their rookie year, which is no simple feat. Among all current players, Ovechkin holds the record for the most goals in a rookie season, having scored 52 for the Capitals in 2005-06. Matthews ranks second with 40, and only nine players in the league have reached 30 or more goals in their debut season.
Exploring Why Ovechkin's Record Might Be Broken Sooner Than Anticipated
Ovechkin set this impressive record in an era where scoring was particularly challenging. In his rookie year, NHL teams averaged just 3.03 goals per game, a figure that remained below 3.0 for the following 15 seasons. In contrast, Gretzky dethroned Gordie Howe's record during a time when teams regularly scored above 3.5 goals.
Scoring levels in the NHL have increased compared to Ovechkin's prime, suggesting this trend could persist for the next 15 years. This change might provide opportunities for young talents like Wyatt Johnston of the Dallas Stars, who has already scored 87 goals in 241 games. Johnston will be turning 22 in May, presumably while the Stars are still active in the playoffs.
has been favored to win the Cup with moneyline odds of +600.Party Ontario Sportsbook An overall increase in scoring could also pave the way for rookies such as Matvei Michkov from the Philadelphia Flyers or Macklin Celebrini from the San Jose Sharks to challenge Ovi's records.
There's also the potential for league expansion. The NHL is contemplating adding new teams, and if this materializes within the next five years, it could create advantageous scenarios for emerging stars like Matthews, Johnston, Michkov, Celebrini, or whoever rises as the next leading goal scorer in the league.
Steve is a highly experienced and celebrated journalist with over two decades in reporting on gaming, sports, politics, and business affairs. His work has appeared in prestigious outlets like the Associated Press, Reuters, and The Louisville Courier Journal, as well as various other publications. Residing in Louisville, KY, Steve has reported on the growth of sports betting across the U.S. and a range of gaming issues, sharing his insights on platforms like OntarioBets and more.
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