Alex Ovechkin scores 30 goals in a season for an NHL-record-extending 19th time in 20-year career

WASHINGTON (AP) — Alex Ovechkin reached 30 goals in a season for the 19th time in his 20-year NHL career, adding to the league record he set last season with his 18th.

The Washington Capitals captain got his latest milestone goal Tuesday night at home against the Calgary Flames. He beat Dan Vladar with a one-timer on the power play 4:52 into the third period, sending the crowd into chants of “Ovi! Ovi!”

“I was cheating a little bit, but there is a reason why he has so many goals like that," Vladar said after backstopping the Flames to a 3-1 win that moved them into a playoff spot. "It’s going to be a story for my kids one day that a player like that scored on me, but obviously in that moment, you don’t appreciate it. I’m happy we just play twice against them.”

Ovechkin joined Teemu Selanne, Johnny Bucyk and Gordie Howe (who did it three times) as the only players in hockey history to score 30-plus goals in a season at age 39 or older.

“My linemates, teammates do a pretty good job finding me out there and I just have to finish it up," Ovechkin said.

Scoring his 883rd career goal also puts Ovechkin 12 back of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s mark of 894 that had long seemed unapproachable. Adding this to his hat trick Sunday against Edmonton, Ovechkin is now on pace to pass Gretzky in early April long before the regular season is over.

“He’s obviously doing such special things,” said Calgary's Matt Coronato, who also scored in the game. "Obviously when you’re competing against him, you don’t want to see it but definitely cool to watch all season long.”

Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson had ice bags on his right thigh and left foot and ankle after blocking eight shots — two of them Ovechkin's.

“He’s on a great chase, and you’ve got to eat a few," Andersson said. "That’s just the way the game went. Now it feels good.”

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin celebrates his goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin celebrates his goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin celebrates his goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames as he skates towards the bench, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin winds up for a shot during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin skates with the puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game against Calgary Flames defenseman Joel Hanley, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) and Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson (4) battle for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin passes the puck against Calgary Flames center Mikael Backlund during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin passes the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

MONACO (AP) — Kimi Antonelli's rise to the top of Formula 1 continued in bizarre circumstances as the 19-year-old Mercedes driver won a much-delayed Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday.

Antonelli was on course for victory with 10 laps remaining when the race was red-flagged after parts of the asphalt broke away and two cars crashed in quick succession, one of them third-placed Charles Leclerc.

After the race resumed from a standing start, Antonelli took his fifth Grand Prix win in a row and extended his already vast standings lead. He's the youngest F1 winner in Monaco.

“Thank you so much guys, the car was a beast today," he told the Mercedes team.

Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton crossed the line second and Alpine's Pierre Gasly third. Red Bull's Isack Hadjar was moved up to third due to a penalty for Gasly.

Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate George Russell missed the points for the second race running after an engine failure while battling Antonelli for the lead of last month’s Canadian Grand Prix.

The track damage put a decidedly un-glamorous twist on one of F1’s most prestigious races as drivers waited in the pit lane, officials gazed at the damaged asphalt and a road-sweeping machine inched along the circuit clearing away loose stones.

There was more confusion as numerous drivers received time penalties or were under investigation, meaning the final standings remained uncertain.

Hadjar was facing an investigation after the race for a potential breach of red-flag rules. That raised the possibility that McLaren’s Oscar Piastri could be promoted from fifth on track to third Sunday evening, ahead of Hadjar and Gasly.

Russell had been second in the standings before the race but ended the day in 13th after a hefty penalty for failing to serve an earlier penalty properly.

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing

Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, of Italy, stands at the pit after the red flag during the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix race at the Monaco racetrack, Sunday, June 7, 2026. (Yves Herman, Pool Photo via AP)

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, of the Netherlands, reacts at the pit during the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix race at the Monaco racetrack, Sunday, June 7, 2026. (Yves Herman, Pool Photo via AP)

Italy's Andrea Kimi Antonelli steers his Mercedes as he leads during the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix race at the Monaco racetrack, Sunday, June 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

Italy's Andrea Kimi Antonelli steers his Mercedes during the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix race at the Monaco racetrack, Sunday, June 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)

Williams driver Carlos Sainz of Spain during the third free practice for the Monaco F1 Grand Prix, at the Monaco racetrack, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain smiles after the qualifying session for the Monaco F1 Grand Prix, at the Monaco racetrack, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands smiles after the qualifying session for the Monaco F1 Grand Prix, at the Monaco racetrack, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy steers his car during the qualifying session for the Monaco F1 Grand Prix, at the Monaco racetrack, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)

Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy celebrates after setting the pole position during the qualifying session for the Monaco F1 Grand Prix, at the Monaco racetrack, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Philippe Magoni)