10. Slaying The Dragon (vs. Penguins)
Date: May 1, 2018 (Round 2, Game 3)
Why it’s special: Not the prettiest goal on this list but one that is very important in Ovi’s journey. He receives a feed from Backstrom on a 2-on-1 and Ovechkin scores with a minute remaining in game 3 to give them the momentum they needed to finally conquer the Penguins who notoriously stumped them in the playoffs.
9. The “Juggle Shot” (vs. Canadiens)
Date: January 25, 2014
Why it’s special: With the puck lose on the side of the net Ovechkin juggles the puck a few times before batting it into the net on what seems like an impossible angle to score from.
8. “Two-try Goal” (vs. Avalanche)
Date: November 20, 2014
Why it’s special: This goal is the definition of not giving up on a play. He rushes down the wing, forces the defender to take the body so Ovechkin gets a shot off that misses wide but he stays with it and cashes in the rebound off the boards.
7. Slaying The Sabres (vs. Sabres)
Date: December 26, 2009
Why it’s special: Ovechkin catches a breakout pass and races down the middle of the ice, windmill dekes around the defender and snipes one.
6. The “One Handed Alley-oop” Goal (vs. Rangers)
Date: February 4, 2010
Why it’s special: Ovechkin breaks in 1-on-1 draws a penalty on the hold but fights it off, keeps possession and flicks a one handed shot top corner to score. This was also his 500th point in the NHL.
5. Dancing All Over Broadway (vs. Rangers)
Date: April 24, 2009 (Round 1, Game 5)
Why it’s special: Ovechkin rides into the zone and dodges two big hits to sneak into the slot and fire home a goal with a quick shot as he was falling down.
4. : “Dealing with the Devils” (vs. Devils)
Date: December 20, 2014
Why it’s special: Historically clean goal here. Ovechkin grabs the puck and heads up the wing where he slides the puck through his feet while being sandwiched by two defenders just to break through both and roof it with a nasty backhander.
3. The “Red Line Spin-O-Rama” Goal (vs. Canadiens)
Date: February 18, 2009
Why it’s special: He deked the Habs defenders with a nice move, drove to the net, and tucked it short side in one motion. Just unfair!
2. Stanley Cup Final Goal (vs. Golden Knights)
Date: June 7, 2018 (Stanley Cup Finals, Game 5)
Why it’s special: Huge goal in the biggest game of his life in the cup finals. This goal is considered his most important goal in his career because it helped shift momentum to clinch the first ever Stanley Cup for the Washington Capitals.
1. The “Falling, Spinning, Backwards” Goal (vs. Coyotes)
Date: January 16, 2006
Why it’s special: His most iconic goal. Rookie season. He’s falling, spinning on his back, and somehow still tucks it in while sliding. The announcer’s “Simply sensational” sums it up.
About the Author
