Ovechkin 1st NHL player with 19 straight 20-goal seasons from start of career

Alex Ovechkin became the third player in NHL history to score 20 goals in 19 consecutive seasons on Monday.

The veteran Washington forward scored two power-play goals in the second period to lead the Capitals to a 5-2 victory over the hometown Calgary Flames.

"Consistency. Not just from the scoring part but also him being in the lineup and being durable and him being able to play game after game after game all these years," said Washington head coach Spencer Carbery.

"We needed every single bit of those two goals tonight to get us in front and to be able to play from in front because you could tell early on we had zero legs and mentally some of the puck decisions, plays, it was uncharacteristic."

Gordie Howe (22 straight seasons) and Brendan Shanahan (19 straight seasons) are the only others to achieve the impressive scoring feat. But Ovechkin is the first to do from the start of his NHL career.

"There's not many things that hasn't been said about him, but he keeps doing it, even at age 38. It's fun to be a part of, fun to watch," said Dylan Strome, who scored the opening goal.

Ovechkin's 20th goal made it 2-0 at 5:58 of the second. Ovechkin went to the net where he neatly deflected in a hard centring pass from Max Pacioretty. After pumping his arms in celebration, Ovechkin immediately looked over at his teammate and pointed, acknowledging the terrific pass.

For the 19th straight season, Alex Ovechkin has scored at least 20 goals!