According to charting by NHL.com, it was Ovechkin’s 190th goal on a one-timer from the left circle or above it, including 136 on the power play. It was his 323rd power-play goal overall.

“You give him that shot, he’s probably going to score,” said Andersen, who has allowed 10 goals to Ovechkin in 13 games against him. “I think pretty much everyone knew that was going in. That’s the cool part about his shot and his gift of scoring.”

Ovechkin scored his 52nd career goal against Carolina, tying Dave Andreychuk for second most against the Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers franchise, behind Michel Goulet (62).

It was his 32nd goal in 46 games at Lenovo Center, the most of any visiting player.

Ovechkin leads Washington and is tied with Tage Thompson for third in the NHL with 39 goals in 59 games this season despite missing 16 games with a fractured left fibula from Nov. 21-Dec. 23.

“If he hadn’t got hurt, he’d probably be right up there to have the most (in the NHL) this year,” van Riemsdyk said.

Ovechkin is one goal away from his NHL-record 14th 40-goal season, which would be two more than Gretzky in second with 12. The goal record is the one hockey world is focused on, though. Ovechkin being one three-goal outburst away from breaking it should add to the anticipation of him playing against the Blackhawks on Friday.

The last time Ovechkin needed three goals to reach a milestone against the Blackhawks, he had a hat trick in a 7-3 Capitals’ victory at United Center in Chicago on Dec. 13, 2022, to become the third player in NHL history to reach 800 goals.

“I think everybody would love to have it on Friday night, him and us, for him to get that record,” Capitals center Pierre-Luc Dubois said. “So, we’re hoping for that.”