Even if you are not a hockey fan, you have to be impressed by the year that Alexander Ovechkin is having. He has 63 goals through 80 games, and he is the first player since Mario Lemieux and Jarmoir Jagr scored 69 and 62 goals respectively in 1995-1996.

Most hockey fans know that Wayne Gretzky holds the single season goal record with 92 in one season. You probably also know that the record was accomplished in a time when scoring in the NHL was much higher than its present levels.

In 1981-1982, NHL teams scored the second most goals per game in league history, with 8.02. This year, the NHL is only averaging 5.59 goals game. Clearly, 63 goals in 2007-2008 is more impressive than it would have been in 81-82.

44.3% more goals were scored per game were scored in 81-82 than are scored in 07-08. So, it is reasonable to assume that if we had an 81-82 scoring rate in 07-08, Ovechkin could light the lamp around 44.3% more. Let’s take a look at what would happen if we adjust for deflation, or the defense oriented NHL.

A. Ovechkin – 63 goals X 1.434 = 90.3 goals

If Alex were to score two goals in the next two games, his adjusted total of 93.2 would be better than Wayne Gretzky’s 81-81 total of 92 goals.

Let’s take a look at the best adjusted totals of all-time:

1. Brett Hull – 86 goals in 90-91 (6.91 goals per game) = 99.8 g
2. Wayne Gretzky – 92 goals in 81-82 = 92
3. Mario Lemiuex – 85 goals in 88-89 (7.48 goals per game) = 91.1 g
4. Alexander Ovechkin – 63 goals in 07-08 (5.59 goals/game) = 90.3 g
5. Mario Lemiuex – 69 goals in 95-96 (62.9 goals/game) = 87.9 g

With two more goals, Alex moves into second place, which would an amazing accomplishment in only his third season. Even in you aren’t a hockey fan, you just have to respect how good this guy really is:

The Angry T

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