Monday LNN: Ovechkin is the Goal-Scoring King

Look, I'm as excited as you are about the Ottawa Senators' winning ways, but since this is Links, News, and Notes, we need to make somewhere else first before we get to our beloved local heroes:

• The biggest story in the hockey world this was weekend was undoubtedly Alex Ovechkin taking down the title of all-time leading goal-scorer. If, for some reason you haven't seen the tally that set the new standard, here it is:

I don't think I've ever heard a pop like that for an away team goal at an NHL game, absolutely electric crowd reaction.

• As you can imagine, there was a flood of retrospectives ready for the occasion. Emily Sadler's got this one for Sportsnet.
• Greg Wyshsnki's got a fun ranking of Ovechkin's 20 greatest goals for ESPN. I remember that goal against the now defunct Coyotes that he scored from his back like it was yesterday. What an incredible talent.
• Lastly, RMNB has a fun piece listing out all the players who ever assisted on an Ovechkin goal. Bet you didn't know Zdeno Chara had two helpers on Ovie goals.
• Okay, back to Ottawa Senators programming: they're very close to the play-offs! Like, so close that they are above 99% by any model. A win on Tuesday night would clinch it. I expect our Game Thread will be popping.
• While I am aware that is bad practice to encourage losing games so as to get a match-up you might deem favourable, I would strongly encourage the Sens to avoid getting a place where they have to face the Tampa Bay Lightning. That team is an absolute wagon, and I would much, much rather see Toronto.
• Over at Sportsnet, Alex Adams makes the case for Jake Sanderson getting Norris votes.

Why Senators’ Jake Sanderson deserves Norris Trophy consideration

Sportsnet.caAlex Adams

• Sandy has been so good the second half of the year that I don’t think it’s totally out of the question but I’d be surprised. Now, if he has an 82 game season next year like these last 35 games? Look out!
• Rachel Doerrie asks the question: will the Toronto Maple Leafs get a different result this postseason with Craig Berube as coach? I say no.
• The Winnipeg Jets are having a hell of a season, but they've hit a tough patch without star forward Nikolaj Ehlers. Jacob Stoller thinks Winnipeg might have to get used to life without the Danish winger.