No player has managed to score goals against as many goalkeepers as 39-year-old Ovetjkin. With last night's full hit against Ottawa, Washington's goal- and point machine slipped past Czech Jaromir Jagr, with whom he previously shared the record.
Leevi Merilainen is doing his first NHL season and last night's meeting with Washington was only his eighth match.
You have to be clear that when he is on the ice, a shot can come at any time, says the Finn.
Ovetjkin's goal – set up by Swede Rasmus Sandin – was his 874th in his NHL career. He is only 21 goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's record of 894 goals.
I knew I would take a shot as soon as I could because I thought he (Merilainen) might think I might give it back to "Sandy," says Ovetjkin according to AP.
