Alex Ovechkin Scores 50th of Season

After being stuck on 49 goals for two whole games, Alex Ovechkin became the first -- and perhaps only -- player to hit the 50-goal plateau this season, beating Tampa Bay's Mike McKenna midway through the first period of Washington's 5-2 win. And then he celebrated as only Ovechkin can.



I have no idea what that was supposed to be, but somewhere in Canada Don Cherry is probably throwing things at his television set, furiously writing up his inevitable diatribe for Coach's Corner on Saturday night. I'm looking forward to it, mainly because it's sure to be completely ridiculous.

Thanks to his goal on Thursday, Ovechkin has now scored 50 goals in three of his first four years in the NHL, and has done so in back-to-back seasons. He's only the third player in the past decade to register two straight 50-goal seasons, joining Dany Heatley (2005-06, 2006-07) and fellow countryman Pavel Bure (1999-00, 2000-01).

Mike Green added a pair of goals for Washington, giving him 27 on the season, while Michael Nylander and Matt Bradley also found the back of the net.