Ovechkin on verge of eighth 50-goal season

WASHINGTON Alex Ovechkin scores 50 goals a season so often the historical significance of it almost gets overlooked.

The Washington Capitals’ captain is one tally away from becoming just the third NHL player with eight 50-goal seasons, joining Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy. If and when it happens, it will be just the 21st time any player has reached 50 goals in a season since Ovechkin entered the league in 2005-06.

“When you have a chance to score 50, it’s always nice. Unfortunately I didn’t score (50) last year, but if I have a chance to score this year, why not?” said Ovechkin, who finished with 49 last season. “Fifty, it’s a pretty big number.”

Fifty has become Ovechkin’s number to shoot for, even though it’s an almost-unreachable milestone for everyone else. The Russian superstar owns the past three 50-goal seasons and at 33 years old could become the oldest player to reach that mark since Phil Esposito in 1975.

Ovechkin has led the league in goals seven times, won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP and captured the Stanley Cup.

He’s showing no signs of slowing down.

“I think he’s speeding up,” said Winnipeg Jets winger Patrik Laine, who idolizes Ovechkin and finished second to him in goals last year.

“It’s been fun to watch.” Current and former teammates and players and coaches around the league can only marvel at Ovechkin’s accomplishments. His 646 goals are tied for 13th alltime and are 212 more than the next-closest player — rival Sidney Crosby — during the past 14 years.

“It’s obviously not too difficult for him,” said Tampa captain Steven Stamkos, who owns two of the 50-goal seasons since 2005-06. “He’s a horse out there. His longevity has been amazing in terms of staying healthy and staying out on the ice and just producing.”