Ovechkin joins Selanne in 50-100 rookie club
Caps young star only second rookie to reach milestone for goals, points
 Tami Chappell / Reuters Washington's Alexander Ovechkin celebrates his 50th goal of the year and after scoring against Atlanta on Thursday. Ovechkin is only the second rookie to record 50 goals and 100 points in a season. |
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ATLANTA - Washington Capitals star Alexander Ovechkin became only the second rookie in NHL history with 50 goals and 100 points when he scored against the Atlanta Thrashers on Thursday night.
Ovechkin scored his 50th goal at 13:01 of the first period with a shot from the top of the left circle. Atlanta goalie Mike Dunham appeared to be screened in front by defenseman Garnet Exelby.
"I'm happy I score 50 goals, but I'm disappointed we lose the game," said Ovechkin after the Capitals' 5-3 loss.
Ovechkin picked up his 52nd assist in the second period, setting up a power-play goal for Dainius Zubrus with a perfect cross-ice pass.
Teemu Selanne was the first rookie to reach the double milestone. He set first-year records that still stand with 76 goals and 132 points for the Winnipeg Jets — now the Phoenix Coyotes — in 1992-93.
With three games remaining, Ovechkin has no chance of breaking either of Selanne’s records. But he was just three goals behind Mike Bossy, who had 53 for the New York Islanders in 1977-78 to rank second on the rookie list. Joe Nieuwendyk had 51 goals in his rookie season.
With his 101st and 102nd points, Ovechkin broke a fifth-place tie with Mario Lemeiux on the rookie list and pulled even with four-place Joe Juneau, who scored 102 in 1992-93. The only rookies to score more points were Selanne, Peter Stastny (109 in 1980-81) and Dale Hawerchuk (103 in 1981-82).
“I’m happy he got to 50,” Washington coach Glen Hanlon said. “I would have hated to see him finish at 49 goals. It would have been sad because I know what it has meant to him.”
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