On Monday, Alex Ovechkin hit another career milestone when he scored his 600th goal against the Winnipeg Jets. Connor Hellebuyck was the goaltender victimized between the pipes for the historic tally.
While that may not be newsworthy in itself, Hellebuyck’s bad luck is anything but ordinary.
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🎥 Connor Hellebuyck speaks following tonight's game in Washington. #WPGvsWSH pic.twitter.com/jssCkWplLU
— Winnipeg Jets (@NHLJets) March 13, 2018
“I seem to be on the wrong end of all these milestones,” Hellebuyck said. “I was there for Crosby’s [1000th point]. Malkin got one on me. I think Kessel got one on me. I don’t know. And now Ovechkin. I’m definitely going to be in some historical film.”
That piqued my interest. What were these milestones exactly and how many were scored on Hellebuyck?
Alex Ovechkin’s 600th goal – March 14, 2018
For historical accuracy, here’s Ovi’s 600th again. After a scrum in front of the net, the Russian machine deposited the puck past a helpless Hellebuyck.
Evgeni Malkin’s first Gordie Howe Hat Trick – March 9, 2017
Rewind to a year earlier, Hellebuyck was victimized by another Russian: Evgeni Malkin. The second overall pick in the 2004 draft tallied his first Gordie — a goal, an assist, and a fight against Blake Wheeler. It was the first Gordie — but not the last — for Malkin.
Joe Thornton’s 1000th assist – March 7, 2017
"The playmaker of his generation." #Jumbo1000 pic.twitter.com/SallILaK8I
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) March 7, 2017
Two days earlier, Hellebuyck was the starting goaltender during the game where Jumbo Joe recorded his 1000th assist. We’ll give Hellebuyck kind of a pass on this one though — the assist was on an empty-net goal. But still.
Sidney Crosby’s 1000th point – February 17, 2017
1,000 points. 757 games.
Well done, 87. #Crosby1000 pic.twitter.com/7Og5bPzxOV
— NHL (@NHL) February 17, 2017
A month earlier, Crosby recorded his 1000th point against the Winnipeg Jets, and, yep, Hellebuyck was in net. Crosby tallied the primary assist on this one-timer by Chris Kunitz.
Phil Kessel’s 300th goal – October 27, 2017
Phil Kessel – goal No.300 in career NHL!
843 GP
660 Pts
300 G
360 A
7 OTG
51 GWG
WPG 1-2 (OT) PIT#LetsGoPens[7-3-1] pic.twitter.com/XC5cEmrDu3— Sports Fan (@sportsfan_pl) October 27, 2017
Finally, Phil Kessel netted his 300th goal against Hellebuyck. It came on a breakaway during OT, and gave the win to the Penguins. That’s four milestones during the same year. Craziness.
