In ice hockey, an empty net situation arises when a team decides to remove its goalie from the ice, leaving their goal undefended. This is a tactical gamble. By taking out the goalie, the team gets an additional skater, which can enhance their attacking capabilities. However, this move also makes the team more vulnerable defensively.
Alex Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals` left wing, has exploited this vulnerability more effectively than any other player in NHL history. On February 10, 2024, he achieved his 57th empty-net goal, overtaking Wayne Gretzky for the most in history. This record-breaking goal occurred at 19:33 in the third period of a 3-0 victory against the Boston Bruins.
Gretzky accumulated his 56 empty-net goals over 1,487 games, while Ovechkin surpassed this record in just 1,394 games. Below is a list of players who have scored the most empty-net goals in the NHL`s history:
- Alex Ovechkin: 65
- Wayne Gretzky: 56
- Marian Hossa: 40
- Brad Marchand: 38
- Sidney Crosby: 37
- Eric Staal: 33
- Mario Lemieux: 33
- Jarome Iginla: 32
- Sebastian Aho: 31
- Blake Wheeler: 31
Rupert Hartwell